CRPF inspector-general Raj Deep Singh (right) felicitates President’s medal winner Harishchandra Ram Chandra Yadhav in Guwahati on Saturday. Picture by UB Photos

Guwahati, Jan. 10: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is all set to have its own intelligence wing by this month-end.

This was disclosed by CRPF inspector-general (Northeast region) Raj Deep Singh here today.

“The project is in an advanced stage and we should have our own intelligence wing by the end of this month,” Singh said.

The CRPF has been asked to replace the army in counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast by 2005. The Centre had decided to arm it with an independent intelligence wing to effectively undertake the new assignment.

As part of its preparation to take over the responsibility of counter-insurgency operations, the force would absorb 2,400 fresh personnel through recruitment drives spread over several districts of Assam, Singh said.

The proposal to recruit surrendered Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) cadre has been under consideration, he said. “We have submitted a proposal to the Union home ministry for screening of the surrendered BLT cadre to find out if they meet the CRPF requirements in height and physical fitness. The home ministry will take a decision soon,” he added.

The senior official said the crackdown on the Ulfa and the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) in Bhutan would make a big difference to the insurgency situation in Nalbari, Barpeta, Kokrajhar, Kamrup and Darrang districts.

Singh said 23 battalions of the CRPF are currently deployed in the Northeast and the force has completely replaced the Border Security Force in counter-insurgency operations in Manipur.

The CRPF inspector-general felicitated head constable Harishchandra Ram Chandra Yadhav of the 122 battalion at a function here.

Yadhav is the recipient of this year’s President’s police medal for gallantry for putting up a courageous fight during an encounter with Laskar-e-Toiba militants in Jammu and Kashmir in 2001.