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VELLORE: With growing demand for the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for providing security cover to important establishments, traditional industries and private firms, the central government has given its nod to increase the strength of the professional central armed force by 35,000.
CISF received a communication dated December 14 from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding the augmentation of the force. Going by the communication, the force would soon recruit 35,000 candidates to raise the strength of the force within a year or two, said a release.
The President sanctioned the raising of the ceiling of the CISF from 1,45,000 to 1,80,000 men. He also sanctioned the raising another 2 reserve battalions for CISF when the strength of the force reaches 1,80,000, according to the MHA letter available with this paper.
The new battalions would likely be established in the northeast and Maoist-infested areas, said the source.
Following frequent attacks on government and non-government establishments by terrorists in the recent past, the central government reviewed the threats and envisaged handing over the security arrangements of sensitive and major establishments to the CISF, he added.
The force came into existence in 1969 with three battalions. Today it has 10 battalions across India, including two in Tamil Nadu.
It gained significance for providing high level security to airports, coal fields, defence production units, nuclear installations, space installations and industries for over four decades. It spread its wings further by creating an exclusive wing for VIP security, besides providing security cover for Delhi metro station.
Since 2000, the force has taken over the security of several airports in the country. “The central government is very keen to bring all the airports in the country under the security blanket of CISF, which mans 59 airports now. The sanction of the strength is a move towards it,” said the source.
For the past few years, the force had also been offering a full-paid security for private firms. Infosys in Bengaluru and Pune and a few other private firms have roped in the multi-dimension force for security cover.
Source: TOI
