The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sanctioned the deployment of the elite Tripura State Rifles (TSR), an experienced counter-insurgency unit, to maintain security during the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections. Voting across the 81-member Assembly will take place in two phases on November 13 and 20, with counting scheduled for November 23.
In a recent announcement, a senior official from Tripura Police shared that six TSR companies, each comprising around 480-500 personnel, will be sent to Jharkhand. These teams will operate under the leadership of TSR Commandant Alok Bhattacharjee, along with six Assistant Commandants. The officials are currently arranging transport logistics to facilitate the move to Jharkhand.
The deployment comes amid efforts to bolster security in poll-sensitive regions, where TSR has established a reputation for professionalism and effectiveness in complex terrains. TSR personnel, extensively trained in counter-insurgency, have played a pivotal role in addressing and neutralizing insurgent activity in Tripura over the past several decades. Since its establishment in the 1980s, the TSR has been instrumental in restoring stability to regions grappling with terrorism and insurgency while upholding high standards of professionalism and avoiding human rights issues.
This deployment marks yet another instance where TSR’s capabilities are utilized for national election security. During the recent Lok Sabha elections, TSR teams were assigned to secure polling processes in states including Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, and Himachal Pradesh. The force also previously provided security for major events such as the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
With a total of 14 battalions, most of which belong to India Reserve (IR), the TSR is ready to be deployed across India upon MHA’s request. The battalions are versatile and capable of adapting to various terrains, a skill that has won them national recognition. Besides election duties, TSR personnel have also been posted in areas such as Delhi and Chhattisgarh, where they provide security to institutions like the Delhi Police and South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL). Another battalion is dedicated to securing Oil and Natural Gas Corporation’s (ONGC) drilling sites in Tripura.
