KSPCA member urges Karnataka CM to announce KSRP battalion for Raichur in budget

The Karnataka State Police Complaints Authority (KSPCA) has written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking the announcement and budgetary allocation for a new 13th battalion of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) in Raichur district in the 2026–27 State Budget.

In his letter dated February 19, Mohan Kumar Danappa, member, highlighted the strategic and administrative importance of Raichur district, which is located in the northeastern part of Karnataka, and shares borders with Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The district also borders Yadgir, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Koppal, and Ballari districts.

He pointed out that Raichur houses several key establishments, including the Hutti Gold Mines, major thermal power stations at Shaktinagar and Yeramaras, an agricultural university, IIIT Raichur, and prominent industrial areas such as Kadechur-Badiyal. The district has the highest number of cotton ginning industries and rice mills in the State. Additionally, airport development work is currently in progress.

Mr. Danappa noted that Raichur and neighbouring Yadgir district frequently host large religious fairs, public events, and political gatherings, drawing lakhs of people. Regular visits by senior political leaders and dignitaries further necessitate enhanced security arrangements.

Currently, the 6th KSRP Battalion stationed in Kalaburagi and the IRB unit at Munirabad are located approximately 180 kilometers away from Raichur, requiring nearly four-and-a-half hours of travel time. This, he stated, makes immediate deployment during emergencies difficult.

Given these factors, Mr. Danappa emphasised the urgent need for establishing a dedicated 13th KSRP Battalion in Raichur to ensure effective law and order management, VVIP security, district safety, and border security.

He mentioned that more than 30 Ministers, MLAs, and various organizations have submitted representations in this regard. The proposal has reportedly been forwarded thrice by the Home Department to the Finance Department for approval.