Amarnath Yatra Inspector General of Police takes stock of preparedness

JAMMU, June 5:  Inspector General of Police Jammu Zone, Jammu, Rajesh Kumar, today chaired a meeting of officers of intelligence agencies,  CRPF, BSF, Army, Police, Armed/IRP, Traffic, Security, SDRF and civil administration in Zonal Police Hqrs here to take stock of the preparedness  for smooth and peaceful conduct of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2014.

Intelligence agencies briefed the chair about their assessment on security and law & order situation and also highlighted the areas of concern based on available inputs as well as based on past experiences that need more focus for enhancing the security and law and order measures during the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Yatra.

DIG Traffic, concerned District SPs, SP Security and CO SDRF also briefed the chair about their preparedness and highlighted areas of concerns which need to be taken care by all the concerned stake-holders at ground level for better management of yatra.

IGP exhorted concerned officers to take note of the highlighted areas of concerns and make concerted efforts to improve upon these areas. He emphasised on enhanced vigil and security in coordinated manner besides the need for proper regulation of Yatra convoys on NHW, provision of basic amenities at Lodgement Centre and wide publicity through print and electronic media educating people to undertake their pilgrimage only on the dates as per their registration to avoid inconvenience. He asked all the District SPs and officers from CRPF and Armed  Police to sensitize their officers and men being deployed on Yatra duty that they should be courteous and polite while dealing with Yatris and serve as a guide also.

The officers who attended the meeting include   Narinder Singh, DIG CRPF Jammu (N);    Parveen Kumar Sharma, DIG CRPF Jammu; S.A.Watali, DIG Traffic Jammu; Surinder Kumar Gupta, DIG CID Jammu;   S.A.Beig, DIG JSK Range;   A.K.Atri, DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range;   A.Wani, DIG DKR Range; K.L.Bhagat, DIG AP Jammu; K.S.Parihar, Addl. Deputy Commissioner Jammu;   Soujanya Sharma, Director Tourism Jammu; Jt. Director Information Jammu, A.K.Wangoo, Dy Director Fire Services Jammu. Atul Goel,  SSP Jammu;   Sham Sunder Sharma, SSP APCR Jammu;   S.D.P.Singh, SSP Telecom Jammu, M.Suleman Choudhary, SP Udhampur;   Anil Mangotra, SP Samba;   Virender Sharma,  SP CID SB Jammu; S.J.S.Johar, SP PCR Jammu;   Javed Mattoo, SP Ramban;   Mubassir Latifi, SP Rajouri;   Vivek Gupta, SP Reasi;   Ramesh Angral, SP Security Jammu;    Shailender Singh, SP CID CI Jammu;      Mohan  Lal, SP Kathua;  Shri Shamsheer Hussain, SP Poonch; Shri M.S.Chouhan, SP Doda;  Pawan Parihar, SP Traffic Rural Jammu; Shri Rakesh Sharma, I/C SO to DIG CRPF;   Stanzin Norboo, CO SP SDRF Jammu,   Ravikant Sharma,   Chander Jeet Singh, SDPO Railway Jammu and Avleen Kour, Information Department.

Source: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/igp-takes-stock-preparedness-amarnath-yatra/

Security at Indian missions in Afghanistan Herat enhanced

Security measures at Indian missions in Afghanistan have been enhanced with both ITBP and Afghan security forces strenthening the defence mechanisms in the wake of the recent attack on the Consulate in Herat.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force chief Subhas Goswami, who had recently visited that country for an on-the-spot assessment, said the Indian Embassy in Kabul and four Consulates in Herat, Kandahar, Jalalabad and Mazar-e-Sharif have been brought under heightened security measures right after the attack on May 23.

"We have already strengthened our security and defences at all the missions we are guarding in Afghanistan including at Herat. Some more measures will be deployed soon.

"The Afghan police has already created more pickets and deployed round-the-clock security by mobile police squads outside the Herat consulate," Goswami, who returned from Afghanistan last week, told PTI.

In a related development, discussions were underway for shifting the location of the Consulate in Herat as the present location was not safe.

While the ITBP chief did not comment on it, sources in the security establishment said the possibility of moving the Consulate General of India (CGI) at Herat to a new and safer location was also being mulled and it is the prerogative of the Ministry of External Affairs.

The CGI is currently located in a built-up residential area in Herat.

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/security-at-indian-missions-in-afghanistan-enhanced-114060301801_1.html

Ex–BSF ADG alleges bureaucrats–illegal Bangladeshi migrants’ nexus

NEW DELHI,  A former additional director general (ADG) of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday dropped a bombshell alleging that bureaucrats and Forest Department officials in Assam sold large tracts of forest land to illegal Bangladeshi migrants with fraudulent process.

“Most of the forest land in Guwahati and Kokrajhar was sold to illegal Bangladeshis by Revenue and Forest Department officials with the support of bureaucrats,” said PK Mishra, former ADG of the BSF.

He claimed that in the 2016 Assembly elections in Assam, the Badaruddin Ajmal–led party might capture unexpected number of seats, “if illegal migration to Assam continues in such a way”.

Mishra’s statement will no doubt create ripples in the government as well as in the political circle.

It may be mentioned that Mishra was deployed in the extreme areas along the India–Bangladesh border from 1971 till 1990. He had also supervised the border fencing and floodlighting work in Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya and some char areas on the Brahmaputra. Recounting his experience, Mishra said almost all the political parties have been playing vote bank politics with the issue of illegal migration. “Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Maoists are the biggest internal threat for the country, but he never mentioned about illegal migrants, which is in fact a serious challenge to country’s security and demographic situation,” he added.

The presence of about six crores illegal Bangladeshi migrants are posing maximum threat to India’s security.

Referring to the recent carnage in Kokrajhar and Baksa districts, Mishra said until and unless the issue of illegal migration is not taken seriously, such incidents will certainly occur in the near future. 

The former ADG of the BSF has also authored a book titled ‘Bangladeshi Migrants: A Threat to India’, which deals with the problem of illegal migration.

Source: http://www.sentinelassam.com/mainnews/story.php?sec=1&subsec=0&id=191667&dtP=2014-06-01&ppr=1#.U4w9vtyaW-c

SSB observes Raising Day in Guwahati

Guwahati: Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Frontier Headquarter Guwahati celebrated 11th Raising Day recently at Reserve Battalion, Sonapur.

Chief guest Anil Negi, Inspector General SSB, FTR Guwahati, addressed the gathering and lauded the role of SSB as a Border Guarding Force. He said that the FTR Guwahati is mandated to guard the Indo- Bhutan Border has attained significant vigour in the national and security scenario through devotion and dedication and professionalism towards the task, a press release said.

SSB Frontier Guwahati and SSB as a whole have proved its credential in the National Security grid. During last 7 years, SSB achieved significant results to counter anti- national elements, destruction of various forest products and wildlife.

It may mention that SSB Frontier Guwahati has also played a significant role to enforce the sense of security and to save the life of property of the citizen of the country by successfully countering the evil designs of the anti-national elements.

SSB Frontier Guwahati although not directly involved in counter- insurgency but keeping in mind its national responsibility it contributes significantly and could able to apprehend 124 insurgents and other antinational elements and also recovered large numbers of arms and ammunition.

Source:- http://news.guwahationline.in/SSB-observes-Raising-Day-in-Guwahati-168965#sthash.xH0y5FMq.dpuf

Herat attack: ITBP DG, officers’ rush to Afghanistan

A team of senior ITBP officers, led by force chief Subhas Goswami, has been rushed to Afghanistan to take stock of security preparedness at all Indian missions in the war-torn country in the backdrop of the recent attack on the Consulate in Herat.

Officials said Director General Goswami and his officers, drawn from the operations and intelligence wings, will tour the Indian Embassy in Kabul and its four Consulates in Jalalabad, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kandahar and Herat and they are expected to meet the Indian Ambassador and local Afghan police and administrative authorities.

“The team will take stock of security arrangements at all the Indian missions which include the Kabul Embassy and other Consulates which are under the security cover of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police in Afghanistan,” official sources said. The team will prepare an assessment report after their return from the country, they said.

ITBP troops had repulsed and averted an audacious attack on the Consulate in Herat on May 23 when four heavily armed terrorists tried to breach the security of the mission. The force, recently in April, bolstered the security of not only the Herat mission but other Consulates and the Embassy in Kabul by deploying a fresh squad of 79 commandos who were distributed equally amongst all the five locations. The touring team will also look into the requirements of additional logistical and operational gadgets of the paramilitary troops deployed at these installations.

The force has beefed up security at all these locations and a high alert has been sounded in the wake of the latest incident.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/herat-attack-itbp-officers-rush-to-afghanistan/article6049466.ece

Narendra Modi's swearing-in: BSF ups security in border areas of Rajasthan

BARMER: The BSF has made tight security arrangements along the border areas in Rajasthan in view of the swearing-in of Narendra Modi as the 15th Prime Minister of India in Delhi tomorrow.

BSF DIG I K Mehta said an alert has been sounded and vigilance increased along the border areas to ensure security.

The force is always on alert, but sometimes special alerts are sounded to keep check on any possible suspicious movements in the border areas, he said.

Under the arrangement, patrolling has been intensified and senior officers from the headquarters positioned at the borders.

The oath-taking ceremony will be held in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan and will be witnessed by nearly 4000 invitees, including Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other heads of state and government of SAARC nations.

Source:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/35608974.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

ITBP canine squad chips in to secure Modi's swearing-in venue

New Delhi: The elaborate security arrangement at Rashtrapati Bhavan for hosting Prime Minister-elect Narender Modi's swearing-in tomorrow will also see a 'crack' unit of infantry trained-canines deployed for conducting anti- sabotage checks and sanitising the venue, reports said on Sunday

Union Home Ministry, which is coordinating the security plan with various agencies for the VVIP-event tomorrow evening on the President's Estate, has called in a specially-trained squad of ITBP dogs to secure and sanitise Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Officials said that MHA had asked for the elite 'K9' dogs of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, who have earlier secured the CWG games venues and been part of infantry patrols in Naxal-affected areas and insurgency-prone operational theaters in the country.

ITBP, the paramilitary force entrusted with the security of the Indo-China border, is credited with being a 'centre of excellence' for training of combat, police and paramilitary dogs.

"A crack squad of specially-chosen dogs has been sent in to assist security agencies planning the ceremony tomorrow. The squad comprises trained Labradors and German Shepherds and they will only be used to sanitise the 'hold area' (venue of the ceremony)," said sources privy to the development.

About a dozen dogs have been pressed into service from today along with their handlers and they will conduct their task till tomorrow, they said.

The chosen canines have earlier proved their mettle in a number of difficult tasks, sources added.

ITBP is credited with having successfully introduced the first-ever breed of 'Malinois' dogs to assist troops during patrolling in naxalite-affected areas.

The force trains its dogs at its special and exclusive 'K9' centre at Bhanu in Chandigarh.

Source: http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/special-canine-squad-chips-in-to-secure-modi-s-swearing-in-venue_934849.html

Bangladeshi migrants should have no voting rights: Ex-BSF DG

Illegal Bangladeshi migrants in India should "not be given" voting rights and powers to purchase immovable property in India, retired bureaucrat and pioneer of police reforms in the country Prakash Singh said here today.

Singh, along with other retired officers from the security establishment of the country, spoke during the release of a book 'Bangladeshi Migrants-A Threat to India' authored by former Additional Director General of BSF P K Mishra.

"Successive governments have swept the issue of Bangladeshi migrants under the carpet. The problem has not been tackled. There is a massive inflow of population in India from Bangladesh.

"You will have to recognise this hard fact and take some steps. One of the solutions is that such migrants should have no voting rights and they should not be allowed to have immovable properties in India," Singh, who retired as the chief of the Border Security Force some years ago, said after unveiling the book.

Singh said as the current Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh has been supportive of India in containing the insurgency in North Eastern states, India could take steps to make the neighbour "recognise" the problem in a well thought-out manner.

He also called the government's decision to provide non-lethal weapons to BSF troops on Indo-Bangla border as "very unfair" and "politically wrong".

"This is like ruining the ethos of BSF," he said. Another former Director General of BSF E N Rammohan said the government has "failed" to tackle the issue.

Mishra said there should be a "political will" to solve this issue.

Mishra has served for many years commanding BSF troops along the Indo-Bangla border.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/35075651.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Punjab Flayed Over Property Tax For Paramilitary Forces Personnel

The retired officers of the paramilitary forces on Friday have condemned the decision of the Punjab Government and Chandigarh Municipal Corporation for not extending the benefit of exemption of property tax to personnel of the forces.

The decision was taken in the annual general body meeting of the Paramilitary Forces Retired Officers’ Association on Friday at BSF Officers’ Mess, Mohali. More than 60 officers from Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Ambala, Patiala and other neighbouring districts attended the meeting. Amarjit Singh Sidhu (IGP, CRPF Retd), president of the association said, members of the association condemned the decision of Punjab Government and UT Municipal Corporation and Administration for not extending the benefit of exemption of property tax to the personnel of PMFs residing in Punjab and Chandigarh. He said this had happened despite Government of India, Ministry of Home orders to all States and UT’s that keeping in view the sacrifices of the personnel of paramilitary forces, at par with Defence forces, all States and UTs should give all benefits to PMFs personnel, serving or retired, at par with the benefits given to Defence personnel.

He said, more personnel of paramilitary forces were sacrificing their lives in the maintenance of security on the borders dealing with the insurgents, terrorists and Maoists all over the country. BSF is guarding the borders of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, J&K, Tripura and borders with Bangladesh. ITBP is guarding the borders with Tibet, SSB is guarding the borders with Nepal, Assam Rifles is guarding the borders of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur, CRPF is dealing with the internal security, maintenance of law and order, fighting the insurgent in J&K, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura, and Naxals in 11 States of the country. CISF is looking the security of all the airports, important Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and other industrial units. Coastal Guards are guarding the entire coastal borders in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. All personnel of PMFs irrespective of the rank should also be given benefit of One Rank One Pension at par with the Defence personnel, the association demanded.

Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/chandigarh/punjab-flayed-over-property-tax-for-defence-personnel.html

Naidkhai killing and Shinde’s 2014 promise

Unjustified and unjustifiable killing of yet another budding young man in Naidkhai made me remember Shinde’s 2014 promise. The promise was made some time back, while interacting with students from Srinagar based Delhi Public School (DPS).  “We believe in next two years Kashmir will be a different place and this security hazard will be over for you,” said Sushil Kumar Shinde—Indian Home Minister, adding however “We are careful; we don’t want to take steps in hurry. The vigil is to keep peace intact.” Some vigil indeed, as life after life withers away—victims of trigger happy forces.  Home Minister faced a volley by another student, “I am living under fear and this fear comes from security forces who are supposed to protect me. Why do I fear them?” The query, it is related was received with loud clapping from the booked auditorium.  Shinde, a shade sheepish, trying to put up a brave front, replied, “It seems you are undergoing security hazards and I hope it will be over soon”. How soon? The question would hardly get satisfactorily answered unless and until the power dispensing keeps up with evading ‘K’ conflict resolution and hoping for peace to prevail. Shinde’s promise that, “I will ask concerned agencies that children and students should not be frisked,” will remain unfulfilled, as long as security forces hold the brief of keeping the entire population in check. Even when a segment of the population is seen demonstrating peacefully, trigger happy security men often resort to pulling the trigger targeting the heart. That standard operating procedure entails aiming the limbs in worst case scenarios from security point of views is hardly operative in ‘K’ situation, as stands proven in multiple instances.

It has often been the plea of Delhi officialdom and the media that armed forces, paramilitary and central security forces only assist JK Police in maintaining law and order. The plea could be and in fact is widely taken with a pinch of salt. JK, the plea holds has an elected chief minister heading a council of ministers, a bicameral legislature, a high court—all the trappings that democracy entails. And constitutionally, law and order being a state subject falls within purview of the state.  Chief Minister being head of unified command council is a plea often advanced. The reality, however, unfolds that the chief minister, in spite of his public stand of AFSPA revocation is powerless in the face of armed forces refusal. Constitutionally, state legislature may declare the state wholly or partially undisturbed and revoke AFSPA in a particular part or in the entire state. The proposition has remained on paper, never ever to be attempted without Delhi’s nod. Hence, Delhi, Srinagar/Jammu remains in loop in operative power dispensing, with Srinagar/Jammu following Delhi diktat. Hardly anyone has any illusion on this count, the mental imprint and public perception is unmistakable.

In Kashmir, the peace which might look like holding on may come apart anytime, as proved by event after event.  In ‘K’ security scenario, there are too many cooks to prepare the broth, hence the taste is bitter…a case of too many cooks spoiling the dish. The unified command is unified in name, the take of security agencies forming the command varies by the hour. While as on the same day of the week, one agency may put one view of security situation including the state of militancy and number of militants, by the evening of the same day other agency provides a different view, a different state, a different number. It begs the question—how unified is the unified command? Yet another question crops-up—is every agency a fiefdom in itself with its own exclusive view of the situation, more of a contradiction than a consensus. Such a contradiction is not ‘K’ specific; India’s soft underbelly gets stretched to naxalite hit areas, northeast as well.

In DPS meet, another query by a student made news. The query related to headlines Kashmir gets in the rest of India and world, Shinde on his maiden visit to Kashmir as home minister, said North East and naxalite regions have insurgency problem while Kashmir deals with terrorism. “We have to make the difference clear that in North East and in Naxal-hit regions, we deal with insurgency while as in Jammu and Kashmir, we face terrorism,” so said Shinde. Is it meant to make out that insurgency may not be as grave an offence as terrorism. It might also be taken to mean that insurgency might have an internal element only, while terrorism might be taken to mean an act inspired by external elements. The pet India theme remains of painting ‘K’ conflict as inspired by extraneous elements. The diplomatic offensive did have a measure of success in a particular global situation; however, the truth may get partly shrouded over period of times, not for ever. More often than not it emerges—bright and sparkling. Those who tend to overlook the historical lesson do it at their own peril, notwithstanding the Nehruvian belief that a day will dawn, when Kashmiris will adjust to ground reality—that begs the question—have they, what Nehru seemed to believe in—a  writing on the wall, or will they ever take it, given the defiance, the existent resistance?

Yaar Zinda, Sohbat Baqi [Reunion is subordinate to survival]

By Dr. Javaid Iqbal : iqbal.javid46@gmail.com   

http://www.risingkashmir.com/naidkhai-killing-and-shindes-2014-promise/

With growing homeland security concerns, MHA procurements have become crucial

The growing concerns for the homeland security in the recent times not only foresee the challenges that the country is about to face, but also encourages the government to increase the resources manifold in this sector. The demand for modernisation of the police forces and the security equipment has gone up dramatically in the recent times, especially after the terror attacks in Mumbai and New Delhi. 

Some journals estimate the investments into the private security industry to be around USD 12.3 billion while the total estimate that country is planning to spend stands close to USD 30 billion by the year 2016. The major segment of this investment, however, is set to flow into the modernisation of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and a part of it flows to the state polices organisations. Various other sectors like airport security, surveillance projects, integrated security systems etc are also rapidly increasing their footprints in the Indian homeland security matrix.

The ministry of home affairs is now planning to buy and wet-lease helicopters to assist its forces as the entire fleet of Dhruv helicopters has been grounded after several mishaps. “We have authorised wet leasing of helicopters. We are also looking to buy some helicopters. This is a long-term project for which money must be made available”, home minister Chidambaram said while presenting the monthly report card in February. Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force will help the paramilitary and the police forces till the alternative arrangements are made. The new helicopters will be mainly utilised for the anti-Maoist operations, in addition to some non-combatant functions like transporting essential goods, transporting injured personnel, etc. 

Funds amounting to Rs 397.42 crore were sanctioned for the purchase of arms and ammunition and equipment for the CAPFs, states the MHA monthly report. Ammunition and the equipment include hand-held laser range finder, different types of vehicles, SUV mounted communication jammer, Passive Night Vision (PSV) weapon sight etc. The report also allocates funds to procure high-end equipment for the comfort of the policemen such as the jungle shoes, helmets, and the uniforms that suits the operations in extreme weather. 

Recent sanctions by the MHA for the force modernisation, proves the fact that the ministry is indeed very focussed on the internal security concerns. Sanction amounting to Rs 61,98 crore has been given to BSF for procurement of 16,791 Digital VHF/UHF handheld radio sets. Besides, sanction amounting to Rs 2,35 crore was accorded to NSG for 30 km tactical optical fiber cable with terminal equipment. Also, sanction worth Rs 5,12 crore was accorded to ITBP for 22 high altitude shelters and Rs 20,67 crore was also accorded to ITBP for implementation of wide area network (WAN). Sanction was given for creation of 468 posts for the Integrated Intelligence Wing in CRPF. 

Procurement Variables
In the current scenario, the requirement for the modern equipment is huge — ranging from the surveillance equipment for the border guarding roles, to the internal security operations in the most difficult terrains. There is a requirement also for the UAV for some aerial surveillance operations. 

The procurement process for the different central police organisations are need based, and varies depending on the size of the contract. Generally, it is done through the ‘rate contracts’ of the DGS&D (Directorate general supplies and disposal) or the direct tenders by the respective forces if it is under the financial competency of the concerned DG of the CPMF.

Prior to December 2006, procurement of all items which were beyond the financial competency of the concerned DG was done centrally by MHA procurement wing based on the requirement projected by the concerned CPMFs. But after 2006, one of the Central Para Military Force (CPMF) has being made nodal agency by MHA which will initiate the action for the procurement of the items listed under them.

For example, the nodal agency for the procurement of weaponry is NSG. CRPF is the nodal agency for the communication equipment and BSF is for the surveillance equipment. Instances like the procurement of the vehicles etc, where the requirement is common to all the CPMFs, the MHA could make one of the force as the nodal agency (generally the force with the largest user of that vehicle or the force with the maximum requirement) and initiate the procurement process through it.

Nodal agencies will make the QRs (Qualitative Requirements)/ specifications of the security related items that are to be procured as per the MHA directives. These QRs made by the nodal agencies are discussed in the standing technical evaluation committee meetings comprising of different technical experts and invariably headed by a senior ranking officer of CPMFs. One member of the BPR&D/ DRDO is also associated to incorporate their technical opinion. The final draft of the QR is then sent to the MHA for the final approval. MHA then vets/ approves the QRs.

During the procurement process, if ballistic or any other trial (such as in the case of BP vehicles/jackets etc) of the subject item is required, then MHA/respective CPMFs may obtain the views of BPR&D/CFSL to sort-out any kind of confusion relating to the trial procedure. The indenting CPMFs may also request the association of technical representatives of BPR&D/CFSL.

By Dilip Kumar Mekala in forceindia.net