The decision by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to relieve the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police if VIP security and hand it over to Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has created fissures among the paramilitary forces. The CRPF is objecting to the move on the grounds that it will take away the possibility of soft postings for the force that is mostly serving in conflict zones, combating Maoists and deployed in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources said five battalions, comprising nearly 5,000 troops from CRPF are currently rotated for VIP duty, allowing them a soft posting and providing a break from continuously serving in a conflict zone.
Other than taking on stone-pelters in Kashmir recently, the force has also been part of anti-terror operations in the state along with the Army and state police.
The force is preparing a detailed presentation on the subject that will be taken up with the Ministry of Home Affairs, sources said.
The VIP security will be handed over to CISF in a phased manner. While ITBP, entrusted with guarding the India-China border, has welcomed the move, the CISF will need to increase its strength to meet the requirement of additional VIP duty.
"There will need to be a quick recruitment in CISF to meet the demand of providing security to nearly 100 more personalities to begin with," said an official from one of the forces.
According to the plan, CISF and National Security Guards (NSG) — popularly known as Black Cats — will remain the two main forces for VIP security. Currently, the CRPF and CISF protect around 150 personalities, with each force guarding close to 75 VIPs. Among the CRPF protectees are some high profile names like BJP President Amit Shah and industrialist Mukesh Ambani, who pays for his security.
ITBP currently guards only 17 personalities, while NSG gives protection to 14.
There are categories of security — highest being Z plus, followed by Z, X and Y, depending on threat perception.
ADDED RECRUITS
- Five battalions, comprising nearly 5,000 troops from CRPF are rotated for VIP duty
- Mostly serve conflict zones, combating Maoists and deployed in Jammu and Kashmir
- Protect around 150 personalities, guarding close to 75 VIPs
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