GUWAHATI
More than 400 personnel from the distinguished Tripura State Rifles (TSR) are on their way to Bihar, where they will play a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of the two-phase Assembly elections. According to senior officials in Tripura’s Home Department, the TSR contingent, commanded by Commandant Jyotishman Daschoudhuri, commenced their journey from Agartala by special train on Friday night, with their arrival in Patna anticipated by the morning of October 27.
This deployment is in strict adherence to the Election Commission’s detailed security arrangements for the Bihar polls. The initial phase of voting, which covers 121 of the total 243 Assembly constituencies, is slated for November 6. The second and final phase, encompassing the remaining 122 seats, will take place on November 11, 2025.
The Tripura State Rifles boasts a proud history of providing security for significant national events and elections across India. With 14 battalions at its disposal, the majority of which are India Reserve Battalions, the force is readily available for deployment in any state as deemed necessary by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
Currently, two TSR battalions, comprising approximately 2,000 personnel including their officers, are actively serving outside Tripura. One battalion has been integral to the Delhi Police’s operations since 2019, while another has been assigned to Chhattisgarh’s South Eastern Coalfields Limited since 2022, demonstrating the force’s widespread utility and professionalism.
The TSR was originally established in 1983, drawing its operational blueprint from the Central paramilitary forces, with a primary mission to address and counter the escalating extremism prevalent in Tripura at the time. Its personnel undergo rigorous training in counter-insurgency operations, preparing them to tackle complex security challenges effectively.