The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the addition of another battalion to the Tripura State Rifles, bringing the total number of battalions in the state to 16. The Centre will provide Rs 50 crore as one-time financial aid for the new battalion, which will be raised under the India Reserve category. Additionally, the Centre will reimburse up to Rs 30 crore for infrastructure development, excluding the cost of land.
With the new battalion, the Tripura State Rifles force will have a total of 16 battalions, out of which 13 are classified as India Reserve Battalions. These battalions can be deployed nationwide for various security, election, law and order, and anti-insurgency duties as needed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Presently, two Tripura State Rifles battalions are stationed outside Tripura, with one in Delhi under the Delhi Police since 2019 and another in Chhattisgarh with the South Eastern Coalfields Limited since 2022.
The Tripura government must adhere to eight conditions set by the Union Home Ministry while raising the new battalion. The Tripura State Rifles personnel, known for their expertise in counter-insurgency operations, have played a crucial role in quelling the long-standing insurgency in Tripura, contributing significantly to the restoration of peace in the region.
