Centre Extends Deployment of 273 CAPF Companies in Delhi Till October 31

The Union home ministry has extended the deployment of 273 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) companies in the national capital until October 31, according to official sources. This marks the second extension for these forces, which were initially brought to Delhi following protests earlier this month.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued directions on October 22 instructing the Delhi Police and respective CAPFs to coordinate the deployment. The extension was approved following a formal request from the Delhi Police, mirroring a similar extension sanctioned in mid-October.

Officials stated that the Delhi Police informed the ministry about the potential for flash protests by political and other outfits across various sensitive locations in the city. Authorities deemed the continued deployment essential to maintain proper law and order.

The extended deployment comprises a total of 273 companies stationed alongside local police units. This force includes 125 companies from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which features 20 women personnel units, alongside 20 companies from the Rapid Action Force (RAF). Additionally, the deployment incorporates 46 companies from the Border Security Force (BSF), 39 from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), 31 from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and 12 from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

A standard CAPF company has a sanctioned strength of 100 personnel, though its effective operational manpower generally stands at approximately 70 to 72 personnel.

The initial security reinforcements were deployed following protests in parts of Delhi on October 9 by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Opposition parties subsequently held demonstrations with similar demands, followed by a 'Lehra Do Tiranga' demonstration organized by the CJP on October 16.

"Maintaining business continuity and operational stability in a major metropolitan hub like Delhi relies heavily on predictable regulatory and security environments. When security deployment is extended due to potential civil disruptions, local enterprises and commercial establishments must factor in possible logistical delays and localized movement restrictions. Proactive risk management and robust contingency planning remain essential for businesses operating in sensitive urban zones during periods of heightened political activity." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes