Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh told personnel to work fearlessly and said he would assume responsibility for their actions [1].
The statement follows a public controversy over the use of plastic pellet guns during protests in Delhi. The move aims to boost troop morale as the force faces scrutiny over the scale of injuries sustained by both civilians and security forces during the unrest [2].
The incident occurred July 20, 2026, during an anti-NEET protest [3]. Reports indicate that more than 65 protesters were injured during the clash [4]. Additionally, more than 200 police personnel were injured while managing the demonstrations [4].
Singh addressed the force to reassure those serving in both operational battalions and law-and-order units. He said that he would take responsibility for decisions made in the bonafide discharge of their duties [5].
"As the Director General of the CRPF, I want to assure each one of you that whether it is an operational battalion or a law-and-order unit, whatever decisions you take and whatever actions you carry out in the bonafide discharge of your duties, I take responsibility for all those decisions and actions," Singh said [5].
He said that personnel should continue to perform their duties without fear [5]. Singh said he would take responsibility for the legitimate actions the troops take [2].
This high-level endorsement comes as the force navigates the fallout from the July 20 events, an encounter that has sparked debate over the proportionality of force used against protesters in the capital [3].
“"Work fearlessly, I’ll take responsibility."”
By publicly assuming accountability, the CRPF chief is attempting to prevent a collapse in morale and operational hesitation among troops. In high-tension urban policing, personnel often fear legal or disciplinary repercussions for split-second decisions; this directive serves as a protective shield to ensure the force remains assertive in future deployments despite ongoing public and legal scrutiny.
