241 Bastariya Battalion
Active2018–present
Country India
AllegianceCentral Reserve Police Force
SizeBattalion
Nickname(s)Bastariya Battalion

The Bastariya Battalion, also known as "Battalion 241," is a unit of India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), based in Chhattisgarh.[1] The unit is tasked with curbing Naxalist activities in Chhattisgarh state.[2] The battalion is named "Bastariya" because the force is composed of locals — both male and female — from Dantewada, Bijapur, Sukma, and Narayanpur — some of the most Maoist-affected districts in Bastar district, Chhattisgarh.[3]

The battalion's sanctioned size is set at 743 personnel; the unit is currently composed of 534 personnel, 189 of whom are female, in accordance with the Indian Government's policy of 33% reservation for women.[2]

History

The Bastariya Battalion was formed on 1 April 2017 in order to "enhance local representation in CRPF's combat lay-out in the Bastar area",[citation needed] as well as to provide the Bastariya youth with secure employment. Accordingly, its recruitment process was unusual. Physical standards of height and weight were relaxed to give a fair chance to the local applicants, and the CRPF provided pre-educational and physical training to the local youths through Civic Action Programmes to maximize applicants' eligibility for induction into the special formation.[2]

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the Bastariya Battalion on 21 May 2018.[4] He attended the passing out parade of 241 Bastariya Battalion of the CRPF in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, on 21 May 2018.

References

  1. ^ "The 'Bastariya Battalion'". 53 (22). 2018-06-01. ((cite journal)): Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ a b c "Passing out Parade of CRPF's Bastariya Battalion tomorrow". pib.nic.in. Retrieved 2018-06-02.
  3. ^ "Bastariya Battalion to take on Naxal threat - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2018-06-02.
  4. ^ "Press Information Bureau". pib.nic.in. Retrieved 2018-06-02.
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