Bihar Police Unveils New Anti-Riot Unit: DARF to Tackle Communal

The Bihar Police Headquarters has announced plans to establish a new District Anti-Riot Forces (DARF) unit to combat communal tensions and violent protests in the state. The unit will be equipped with trained personnel, medical support, videography equipment, and a lathi unit.

According to officials, each company will have three platoons of 47 personnel each, with drivers and wireless operators. The units will also have tear gas and lathi squads and two vehicles – one bus and one truck.

The state has been divided into three categories, with 49 companies and 294 vehicles planned overall. Patna will receive three companies and 18 vehicles, while 22 districts under Category B will each receive one company and six vehicles.

Officers said that a 20-minute response requirement has been set for the units. They will undergo one month of specialised training at their respective district police centres before being deployed.

The move comes after a series of intense student- and youth-led protests over examination and recruitment issues, some of which escalated into clashes between protesters and security personnel.

According to officials, Bihar saw over 2,500 riot cases in 2025. The new DARF unit is aimed at tackling these communal tensions and violent protests.

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The Bihar Police has announced plans to establish a new District Anti-Riot Forces (DARF) unit to combat communal tensions and violent protests in the state. The unit will be equipped with trained personnel, medical support, videography equipment, and a lathi unit.

Each company will have three platoons of 47 personnel each, with drivers and wireless operators. The units will also have tear gas and lathi squads and two vehicles – one bus and one truck.

The state has been divided into three categories, with 49 companies and 294 vehicles planned overall. Patna will receive three companies and 18 vehicles, while 22 districts under Category B will each receive one company and six vehicles.

Officers said that a 20-minute response requirement has been set for the units. They will undergo one month of specialised training at their respective district police centres before being deployed.

The move comes after a series of intense student- and youth-led protests over examination and recruitment issues, some of which escalated into clashes between protesters and security personnel.

According to officials, Bihar saw over 2,500 riot cases in 2025. The new DARF unit is aimed at tackling these communal tensions and violent protests.