From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jan 16: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Rapid Action Force Unit building at Bhadravathy in Shivamogga district.

The foundation stone laying ceremony was held at DAR Camp grounds at Umblebail Road in Bhadravathy.

The RAF Central Unit being established in Bhadravathy will be the 97th such unit in the country and will have a battalion of 1000 commandos. It is being established at a cost of Rs 350 crore and will comprise of well-equipped housing facilities, hospital, Central school and stadium, whose facilities will be made available to the local people.

The Bhadravathy RAF Unit will have jurisdiction covering Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, Puducherry and Lakshadweep. It will be deployed during any trouble or clashes in these states.

In his speech, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa described the event as an historical occasion and said the District Armed Reserve Force has provided 50 out of the 97 acres in its possession for the RAF Unit.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi, Deputy Chief Ministers Dr C N Ashwath Narayan and Govind M Karjol, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Industry Minister Jagadish Shettar and Rural Development Minister K AS Eshwarappa, MP B Y Raghavendra, Shivamogga Zilla Parishad President Jyothi S Kumar, MLA B K Sangameshwar and others attended the function.