Former Additional Director General (ADG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), H R Singh, is like a living legend with a wealth of wisdom, knowledge and experience in counter-insurgency and VIP security. In course of his distinguished career spanning close to 40 years he played a key role in shaping India’s internal security landscape as a Squadron Commander in charge of Z+ VVIP Security for 6 years in the National Security Guard (NSG). He served as Chief Security Liaison Officer with the Secretary General Commonwealth and to the head of the state Malawi – one of the world’s least-developed, landlocked in Africa bordered by Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique. His expertise in security matters and leadership has earned him recognition and respect within the security establishment. He has been awarded 10 Commendation disks by DG CRPF, DG NSG and the coveted police medal for meritorious service by the President of India. His perspectives as a thought leader are an inspiration for one and all from policymakers, to security professionals, and scholars. Excerpts from an interview with editor, Taazakhabar News, NEERAJ MAHAJAN
Did it ever strike you as strange that you managed to reach a level (ADG) which most CAPF officers – even your own CRPF cadre officers can’t even dream of? Did this change your perception about yourself and the environment around you?
Not at all. I always considered myself competent enough to reach the top, though biased RRs stop cadre officers from going beyond the post of ADG. However, the ranks worn by the ADG, Spl DG and the DG are the same. It was a coincidence that my DG Pranay Sahai, IPS, and I were both from the 1975 batch. I was the senior-most cadre officer who retired as ADG in June 2013, whereas Pranay Sahai IPS retired a month later as DG in July 2013. All cadre officers who join as Assistant Commandants should necessarily reach the level of the Director Generals to fulfil their career aspirations. The life of CAPF officers is very tough as they face grave risk to their lives while dealing with terrorism, extremism or Naxalism in different operational theatres. Things used to be different when these officers simply used to provide manpower to the state police to handle law & order situations, which used to be controlled by the use of lathi charge or tear gas or by firing a few shots at the lower limbs of the unlawful assemblies. I remember the days of terrorism in Punjab when I was Dy Commandant Operations in a CRPF unit in Ludhiana. Every day, we used to conduct multiple raids during the day and night, acting on various intelligence inputs after sustained interrogation of the apprehended suspects and the terrorists. Often, raids end in an encounter with an exchange of fire. My children used to go to Kendriya Vidyalaya Baddowal, cantonment, under armed escort through the terrorist infested area. I remember the day when terrorists killed the guards at the entry gate of the army camp of Baddowal cantonment, and we were keeping our fingers crossed till the safe return of the school bus to the CRPF camp. Even my improvised residence was fired upon by rocket launchers by the terrorists. I also recall when my jawans were washed away during unprecedented floods in Sidhwan Bet area due to overflowing Sutlej River while rescuing trapped civilians. I then went inside the Sutlej using a power boat and, after grappling for five and a half hours, was able to save 11 lives, including 8 civilians. At one point in time, when our boat faced a grave risk due to a fault in its engine, the efforts to rescue us by helicopter had failed due to a fault in the ascending ladder. Such war war-like situation of anti- and counter terrorist operations continued for my entire tenure of four years from 1986 to 1989.
Are serving and retired paramilitary force personnel in India given the recognition and incentives they deserve?
Generals are appointed as governors while CAPF officers aren’t. Of late, their services are now being recognised by the government and public, as well to some extent by way of gallantry awards. The incentives are also improving slowly. Yet there is a need for further improvements in recognition and incentives. e.g. Post retirement, while army Lt. Generals / Brigadiers and the IPS Officers are appointed as governors and on other key appointments like members of Commissions, etc., why not CAPF officers. Likewise, CAPF officers having rich experience in diverse fields should be considered for such positions as Governors, members of UPSC or NHRC. Restoration of OPS in place of UPS, grant of OROP and PMSP (Para Military Service Pay) are other pending monetary incentives. Many of our officers up to the Commandant level have given their lives while leading from the front and have been awarded on record gallantry medals every year, including many posthumously is testimony to their courage, commitment and dedication, which need to be recognised with post-retirement placements from these forces.
Why CAPF cadre officers are not considered fit to command the same organisation they serve for 30-35 years before retirement?
This is a fait accompali. All senior duty posts created as a result of cadre reviews should be manned by cadre officers only. Deputation of cadre officers and IPS officers both should be considered for senior posts from DIG up to DG. The recruitment rules need be amended with benefits of an organised service.
Are IPS officers born leaders with special management abilities that CAPF officers lack?
No, rather CAPF officers have varied and rich experience of multi operational theatres. Even CAPF officers training and exposure is multi faceted in different states. I would like to mention one incident of 1978 in which I along with an IPS officer had gone for a joint raid to nab a gang of dreaded dacoit and after a 16 hour long operation I was able to nab 14 dacoits while the IPS officer left the troops even before reaching the target. He later became the Director General of the state. Even during elections in Chhattisgarh while commanding a newly raised unit one of my platoon was ambushed while it was on area domination duty and there was no reserve for reinforcement etc. I along with my escort personnel had to rush to the ambush site through IED prone dense jungles and rescued the injured first to the nearby hospital and later by helicopter to Appolo hospital Bilaspur. Both legs of the platoon commander were amputated to save his life. Later artificial limbs were provided to him. Now he is leading a post retirement life on wheelchair in a village of Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. I feel proud of number of anti-terrorist and anti naxal operations led in Punjab, J & K and Chhattisgarh in which I was able to get 12 gallantry medals for my men. When my officers used to question as to why I am not highlighting my role in the citations, my reply was that Commandant should get medals for his men to recognise their services and to keep them motivated and as a true leader should not blow his own trumpets.
Can deserving CAPF officers – even if they are suitable — be considered for key assignments traditionally held by IPS officers?
Yes, why not. Whenever, CAPF officers have been picked up for key assignments, they have done exceedingly well. It would be in the best fitment of things to utilise the rich and varied experience of CAPF officers on various key assignments in the centre and the states. There should be lateral entry of CAPF officers to the states by way of deputation. At present due to faulty career planning by these forces or by their cadre controlling authority, the Assistant Commandants and Commandants are not able to get next promotion even after serving for 12-14 years in the same rank. Liberal deputation of these officers to various PSUs and other key assignments in the ministries, other departments and organisations would ease out this problem of stagnation to a great extent. Besides this the borrowing department would be benefited with their varied experience in human resources management, administration and training. One of the reason of many officers not getting timely promotion is litigation and pending court cases. Even after prolonged wait of many years, once the decision of lower courts, High courts and even of Supreme Court is given, these are not promptly implemented in true sense. The process takes indefinite time which is very disastrous and unfortunate for the officers and men of these forces. There is therefore an urgent need to have a tribunal for timely and speedy disposal of such cases on the lines of Armed Forces Tribunals. The judgement of Supreme court of India dated 5th February 2919 regarding OGAS, the judgement by Delhi high court dated 11th January 2023 terming CAPFs as armed forces of the union and thereby confirming their eligibility for grant of Old Pension Scheme are examples showing disregard to the judiciary by the central government. Definitely the men and officers of CAPFs deserve better deal from the government in recognition of their long selfless service to the nation in disregard to their family life.
Why is it that IAS officers are always two steps ahead when it comes and CAPF officers are not allowed to catch up with them?
The benefits of organised service are denied to CAPF officers by the cadre controlling authority, i.e. MHA. Such disparity is not good for the morale and motivation of CAPF officers. CRPF is listed as organised service as per DoPT monograph of 1996. The promotion of CAPF officers should be at the same pace as that of IAS officers. Though as per instructions, it can be 2 years slower.
What are the key differences in career progression opportunities between CAPF officers and IPS officers, and how do these impact the motivation of CAPF personnel?
The key difference is that for IPS officers, it is time bound where as for CAPF officers, it is vacancy based. The problem arose due to unplanned induction of officers in CAPF. All such services need to be managed professionally so that such vast difference in career progression does not impact the morale & motivation of officers handling sensitive security duties. e.g. an Assistant Commandant in CRPF has not been promoted to the next rank of Dy Commandant even after putting in 14 years unblemished service where as his counterpart an ASP or the ACP might have risen to the rank of DIG. Since CAPF and state Police officers work in tandem while dealing with various law & order and other situations, there should be parity in their promotion and other service conditions. Here I would like to quote Rule 102 of CRPF Rules 1955 Which reads “ The condition of service of members of the force in respect of matters for which no provision is made in these rules shall be the same as are for the time being applicable to other officers if the government of India of corresponding status.”
Could you elaborate on the current policy regarding the promotion of CAPF officers compared to their IPS counterparts, especially in leadership roles like IG and DGP?
Due to non-revision of RRs and adhoc instructions prescribing residency period in each rank, there are stagnations in the ranks of ACs and Commandants. One has to qualify pre promotion course also to become eligible for the next promotion. If a 1992 batch IPS officer become DG, the CAPF officer of corresponding year remains as Commandant.
There have been discussions about disparities in pay and allowances. How does the CRPF address the concerns related to unequal financial benefits between CAPF and IPS officers?
CAPF has demanded risk & cobra Allowances and succeeded in getting them sanctioned. Still there is demand for PMSP (Para Military Service Pay) on the line of MSP i.e. Military Service Pay. However, it is an ongoing process and efforts are to get more and more compensatory allowances reviewed to bring parity in financial benefits.
How is the seniority of CAPF officers treated in relation to IPS officers when it comes to critical postings and leadership roles?
This is a very sensitive issue as CAPF officers are called upon to aid local police and have to often interact with their counterparts SP/ SSP. CAPF Assistant / Dy Commandant is of 15-16 years of seniority whereas an SP / SSP is of 5-6 years seniority. Thus this aspect has to be addressed on priority so that there is no issues in critical postings and leadership roles while jointly handling sensitive operational duties.
In terms of operational autonomy and decision-making, do CAPF officers face more bureaucratic hurdles compared to IPS officers?
At times there are ego clashes owing to large gaps in seniority and therefore it affects operational autonomy and decision making. However, in majority cases, a mutually agreed plan is worked out after due assessment of the ground situations. To set things right the standing operating procedures SOPs need be finalised to avoid adhocism and ego clash. A system of advance security liaisoning ASL should be in place to finalise arrangements of accommodation and transport for the troops and to evolve a mutually agreed deployment pattern based on threat assessment. I remember when my unit was inducted in Chhattisgarh state, I myself went in advance to co-ordinate details with the state authorities and received each company on arrival at the nearest rail head along with local SP. When it came to deployment, local police finalised deployment of CRPF in sections and half sections which I refused to comply based on my perceived threat .The matter was reported at the highest level and thereafter I accepted deployment of 18 platoons at 18 most sensitive locations. Shri Ramniwas IPS was the IG Ambikapur where as I was the Commandant with 29 years of seniority and experience. He was a very fine and matured officer who was very active operationally and therefore we both had good understanding were able to perform well under grave threats.
Can you shed light on the differences in training, resources, and operational support provided to CAPF officers versus IPS officers?
The training and resources wise CAPF officers are well equipped. However the dependence for logistics support in terms of adequate accommodation and transport remains with the local police. Things are slowly improving with proper advance liaisoning with the local authorities since last many years IPS officers come on attachment with the CAPF units for familiarisation training for two weeks. Likewise, CAPF officers should also be sent on attachment with the National police Academy or with the respective districts for familiarisation training for at least one week.
Is there any consideration for promoting lateral entry or deputation of CAPF officers into higher echelons of the police administration?
There is no consideration right now, yet lateral entry of CAPF officers or their deputation into the higher echelon of the police administration is desirable to utilise their multi-faceted experience. During terrorism in Punjab, CAPF officers were taken on deputation as SP Operations, and they did well. Even C Pal Singh, a CRPF officer, was taken as IG Punjab Police, who also did exceedingly well. There is a need to develop an institutionalised mechanism to ensure smooth lateral entry of CAPF officers in states and PSUs. Similarly, the officers of CAPF should be inducted in higher ranks of DIG and IG in organisations like NSG and SPG. To streamline CAPF matters further and for speedy and proper management, there is a need to create a separate ministry of Internal Security with a CAPF department, with due representation of CAPF officers in the ministry as a cadre controlling authority. The present dispensation in the home ministry hardly have time and well-versed staff to handle CAPF issues professionally and promptly owing to its large commitments.
How does the CRPF address the morale issues among CAPF officers who feel that their contributions are undervalued compared to the IPS cadre?
Due to unplanned induction, not amending the recruitment rules, there are issues of dwindling morale, especially at the company commander level as they are stagnating in the same rank for over 13-14 years. There is no harm in giving them next rank once they start getting pay of next rank due to assured career progression. The issue of comparing contributions of CAPF vs IPS officers is subjective and efforts should be made to recognise due contributions of all.
What initiatives are being taken or should be taken to bridge the gap in professional development opportunities between CAPF and IPS officers?
It is felt that deputation of CAPF officers and IPS officers should be on mutual basis .i.e. CAPF officers should be sent on deputation to state police in equal numbers as of those IPS officers coming on deputation to CAPFs. Secondly more short term courses should be started in NPA as well as ISA / CAPF Academies where in both CAPF & IPS officers are trained together. The best solution would be to ensure parity in service conditions and promotions for best operational synergy. Even professional courses like 10 weeks Young Officers course which is a pre promotional course for promotion from Assistant Commandants to Deputy Commandant in CRPF could be considered jointly for both IPS and CAPF officers dealing with the internal security of the nation.
Would you like to see any changes in the Central Reserve Police Force Act, 1949, to streamline CRPF’s functioning, administration, and duties and align them with the advances in technology?
Yes, relevant provisions relating to promotion, deputation and benefits need to be reviewed to streamline CAPFs functioning, administration and duties. Advances in technology need be incorporated to update the rules. There are certain provisions in CRPF rules 102 & 103, which provide that service conditions shall be the same as that of the other officers of the government of India of corresponding status. Based on the challenges of internal security, a review is a must to align CAPF officers and men to cope up with the challenges being posed by use of developing technologies for cyber frauds and use of the Artificial intelligence by the criminals. With the induction of latest weapons in the CAPFs, and keeping in view the new emerging threats, various child agencies if the force and the deployment of troops abroad in UN missions , the necessary provisions as necessary should be incorporated in the acts and rules.
In May 2024, the Supreme Court upheld the CRPF’s rule prescribing ‘compulsory retirement’ as a punishment for personnel found guilty of misconduct. The Court ruled that this punishment is valid under the CRPF Act, reinforcing the force’s disciplinary standards. Any comments?
I respect the ruling of the Supreme Court which is in tune with the disciplinary standards of the CRPF. As mentioned above there is a need of a separate para military force tribunal to speedily dispose off large number of cases pending in various courts across the country. Further there is an urgent need to fix an upper time limit of three months for implementation of judgements of various courts in true spirit.
Would you like to make any final comment?
Last but not the least, I would like to mention that these CAPFs are the best example if human excellence. They have mini India within them are the true representative of nationalism. They are honest, upright, impartial and most efficient tools available as an extended executive arm of the government of India. These forces have made supreme sacrifices for the nations in large numbers with glorious past. They have proved extremely useful in handling gravest threats to the internal security of the nation latest being the menace if naxalism. They should be given their legitimate dues. We never demand any parity with the defence forces i.e. Army Navy or the Air force but need benefits commensurate to the hard and hazardous nature of duties.
