Students are protesting in Delhi against the NEET paper leak and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Amidst all this, during the demonstration, a large number of soldiers wearing blue uniforms were also seen maintaining law and order. These soldiers do not belong to any general police force. These soldiers wearing blue uniforms belong to Rapid Action Force (RAF). Their entry is for crowd control and anti-riot action during big demonstrations.
RAF is a special unit of CRPF. It was established in the year 1992. It is deployed in sensitive areas in the country after major political demonstrations, communal tension, violent movements, religious processions, sensitive court or government decisions, and during elections. Not only this, its soldiers are also involved in relief and rescue operations during floods, earthquakes, cyclones and other disasters.
Wherever there are major riots, violent demonstrations or tense situations in the country, RAF is rapidly dispatched on the request of the state government or on the instructions of the Centre. It is one of the quick response forces of the country. The job of RAF is to control the crowd using less force. When the police fails to maintain law and order during protests, this responsibility is given to the RAF.
What kind of training is given to the RAF?
RAF soldiers are given special training to deal with riots, violent demonstrations or stressful situations. They are given training to understand crowd psychology and follow human rights to control protests and riots. Apart from this, special training is given to maintain composure in stressful situations and to deal with women and sensitive groups.
What equipment does the RAF use?
The RAF uses non-lethal equipment such as tear gas, rubber bullets, body protectors, anti-riot shields and helmets during riots and protests. During this time she lays special emphasis on observing human rights. This force uses dangerous and deadly weapons as the last option in adverse circumstances.
What is the main responsibility of the RAF?
- controlling riots and violent mobs
- Restoring peace in areas of communal tension
- Maintaining law and order during large demonstrations
- To assist in relief and rescue operations when needed
What is the first thing the RAF does after reaching the protest sites?
As soon as RAF is sent to control any protest, demonstration or riot, its first task is to reach the spot quickly. Assessing the crowd, trying to convince the protesters to remove them, creating barricades and security cordons, using non-lethal means if necessary, controlling the situation if violence spreads. Options like ensuring the safety of women, children and the elderly have to be worked out.
Why do RAF soldiers wear only blue uniforms?
RAF soldiers can be easily identified by their blue uniform. Actually, the color of this uniform is considered a symbol of peace. The tagline of RAF is also ‘Service to humanity with sensitive policing’. RAF says that its job is not only to maintain law and order but also to help the common people when needed. RAF is given special training for different types of situations, so that it can reach any place in a short time and handle the situation. This is the reason why RAF is seen as a force that works quickly in difficult situations. Its objective is also to help in the safety of people along with law and order.
Is the maximum number of RAF soldiers deployed in Delhi?
Now the question is why deployment of RAF soldiers is seen mostly in the country’s capital Delhi. In fact, being the capital, there is often scope for protests here. Here Parliament, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Union Ministry, Supreme Court and foreign embassies are sensitive places. In such a situation, if any damage occurs to these sensitive places, it will make headlines in the country as well as abroad. In such a situation, the deployment and number of RAF soldiers is seen to be high in the country’s capital to deal with any kind of emergency situation.
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