Shah reviews CRPF's security arrangements

New Delhi, Nov 15 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday reviewed the security arrangements being handled by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Jammu and Kashmir and Maoist-affected areas across the country.

Shah met senior CRPF personnel, including Director General R.R. Bhatnagar, on Friday at the paramilitary force's headquarters at CGO Complex here, said Ministry sources, adding the meeting lasted about one-and-a-half hours.

The CRPF apprised the Minister about its preparedness in J&K and Maoist-affected areas through a powerpoint presentation. Shah also took stock of the situation of other issues related to the paramilitary force that include its internal matters, said a source.

It was Shah's first meeting with CRPF officials at the force's headquarters after he took charge as the Home Minister on June 1.

"Visited the @crpfindia headquarters in New Delhi. CRPF personnel have always lived up to their motto of 'Sewa and Nishtha' by protecting our nation at different terrains. I salute the courage & bravery of CRPF personnel and their families. We are proud of their exemplary valour," Shah tweeted after his visit.

Sources said the Home Minister will hold similar meetings with other paramilitary forces such as the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

Raised as the Crown Representative's Police in July 1939, the CRPF was given a fresh lease of life soon after Independence when it was renamed and redesigned as the Central Reserve Police Force on December 28, 1949.

It was mandated to secure internal security of the country having with multifarious duties which include fighting insurgency in the North-East, combating terrorism in J&K, tackling Left-wing extremism in central India and maintaining communal harmony.

The force is tasked to guard the Parliament building and vital religious installations. It also provides protection to the VIPs and helps in conducting fair and peaceful elections.