Has MHA Approved Another Tripura State Rifles Battalion?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- MHA sanctions another TSR battalion.
- Rs 50 crore financial aid for establishment.
- Proposal initiated by Chief Minister Manik Saha.
- Current strength of TSR: 14 battalions.
- TSR deployed in multiple states for security duties.
Agartala, May 15 (NationPress) The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved the establishment of an additional Tripura State Rifles (TSR) battalion in the state, as confirmed by officials on Thursday.
An official from the Tripura Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated that this decision followed a proposal made by Chief Minister Manik Saha to Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a recent meeting in New Delhi.
In a social media post announcing the MHA’s decision, Saha expressed, “A significant advancement for Tripura! The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has sanctioned the formation of another India Reserve (IR) battalion for the Tripura State Rifles, which will bolster security and create job opportunities. Heartfelt thanks to Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji.”
As per the CMO official, the Government of India will provide a one-time financial aid of Rs 50 crore for the establishment of one TSR battalion.
The Government of India will have the priority to deploy the IR Battalion of the TSR and possess the authority to request the state to mobilize the battalion nationally, when necessary, the official mentioned.
For infrastructure expenses (excluding land costs), up to Rs 30 crore will be allocated upon the submission of detailed expenditure reports concerning the new TSR battalion.
The current TSR comprises 14 battalions, predominantly composed of IR battalions, which can be dispatched to any Indian state if required by the MHA.
Since 2019, two TSR battalions, which include approximately 2,000 personnel (officers included), have been deployed in the national capital under the supervision of the Delhi Police and at South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL) in Chhattisgarh since 2022.
In addition to the two battalions in Delhi and Chhattisgarh, one battalion is dedicated to securing the drilling sites of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation in Tripura.
During the Lok Sabha elections, from April 19 to June 1, the TSR was deployed for polling duties in Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, and Himachal Pradesh.
Besides providing security during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, the IR battalions of the TSR have previously undertaken election duties across nearly all states to ensure security during both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Trained in counter-insurgency tactics, the TSR personnel have shown commendable performance in addressing over four decades of terrorism in the northeastern state of Tripura.