The Indian Reserve Battalion, also known as the India Reserve Battalion; abbreviated as IRBn, is a special armed police force of an Indian state or union territory. Introduced by the Indira Gandhi Government at Centre in 1971, the cost of raising an IRBn is borne by the Government of India. Its primary responsibility is to assist the respective state police in combating terrorist attacks and Naxalite–Maoist insurgency.
History
editThe Government of India under the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi introduced the Indian Reserve Battalion system in 1971 on the pattern of federally-run Central Paramilitary Forces.[1] The expenditure of raising an IRB in a state is borne by the Indian Government.
IRBns in different states and union territories
editHimachal Pradesh
editThere are six IRBns part of the Himachal Pradesh Police. First IRB headquartered at Darongarh, Kangra district, was raised in June 1993. It was later shifted to its present location at Bangarh, Una district. These IRBns assist the state police in maintaining public order and get deployed in other states as well on the request of the Central Government.[2]
Lakshadweep
editIn January 2001, a special Indian Reserve Battalion was raised for the union territories of Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu and Dadar and Nagar Haveli with its headquarters at the capital of Lakshadweep, Kavaratti. It replaced the two companies of the Madhya Pradesh Special Armed Police, which were stationed in the union territory since 1974.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Formation of New IR Battalion in States". Press Information Bureau. 14 March 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ "Brief History of Himachal Pradesh Police". Citizenportal.hppolice.gov.in. Himachal Pradesh Police. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ "Administrative Setup – Police". Lakshadweep.gov.in. U.T. Administration of Lakshadweep. Retrieved 21 August 2020.