Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), police spar over RR Patil's frisking

When the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel recently frisked state home minister RR Patil at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport Limited it led to an ugly verbal spat between them and Patil’s security team comprising Mumbai police officials. The CSIF is believed to have escalated the matter by taking it up with the state government.

The CISF has claimed that its personnel were only performing their duty in the most upright manner. It added that Patil himself didn’t object to being frisked but it was his security team which made all the hue and cry. “RR Patil silently let himself be frisked,” said a source.

However, Mumbai police officials who witnessed the incident countered CISF’s claims and alleged that its personnel were rude and didn’t maintain the decorum fit for handling a state home minister. SP Selvan, DIG, CISF, wasn’t available for comment. Patil didn’t respond to the calls and text messages sent by DNA.

Airport sources say that such feuds between the CISF and policemen as well as bodyguards of VIPs are common considering the fact that Mumbai airport is among the busiest in the country. Scores of VIPs and VVIPs transiting around every day poses a major security challenge.

Such clashes are not confined just between the CISF and the police. Last October, certain entry points at Mumbai airport allegedly remained unguarded for three hours after Air Intelligence Officials from the customs department intercepted two cars belonging to the CISF after receiving tip-off about the arrival of contraband at the airport. No contraband was found but it did lead to a heated debate between the two agencies, leaving the airport vulnerable to a security breach.

CISF denied the allegations and alleged that the customs department officials were trying to ‘impose’ themselves on the CISF.

@abidi_shahkar