CISF gearing for VIP security, training begins

Deoli (Rajasthan), Apr 30: With honours of 'VIP security' to be handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) soon, the force has geared itself with a multi-layered training programme to meet futuristic exigencies of protecting VIPs.

Peppered with ultra-modern techniques and foreign trainers, the 10-week ''VIP Security Course'' hammers the finer nuances adopted by most modern forces while handling ''special people'', among trainers.

Selected through a tough regime of 'special tests', trainers go through ten stages before being given the 'graduation certificate'.

Commenting on the rigours, Inspector General Ajeet Singh Shekhawat, who oversees the training operation at Deoli, ensconsced in the tough terrains of Rajasthan, said 20 per cent of trainers fail in the psycho-analysis test.

''Of the nine practical stages, trainers have to go through, none matches the level of psycho-analysis test which evaluates the trainers 'actual ability' to be 'fit' for the big time job.'' Even as 'physical training', confidence building exercise, battling innoculation, theory/demonstration, PSO drills, unarmed combat, weapon training, and firing look into the physical readiness aspect, the ''psycho-analysis test'' prepares the trainer to mentally adapt to a condition where his life matters less to him when on duty, he elaborated.

''While crash course by Israeli instructors were conducted here, instructors were sent to the US for the ''VIP Protection Programme'' as part of the preparedness drive in imparting training.'' On comparisons with the training received by National Security Guard (NSG) personnel, Mr Shekhawat said our training is different in the sense that our men are trained not to ''fight/kill the opponent/attacker'' but ''protect the VIP''.

''Even if that means giving his life he should be ready.'' And training rigours are basically to wither out that fear from them, he said.

Our USP is that the course here is dynamic in nature and not a fixed-schedule based. ''It keeps evolving with every course. What one sees now may not be in the next programme. It's learning and adding every day.'' So far 1,900 personnel have been trained in the course, which include those from Orissa, Jharkhand and Rajasthan, and we are not rushing into the numbers game as the final orders on alloting have yet to come, said Mr Shekhawat.

''The numbers would be increased as per requirements.'' Also, the most modern weapons have been procured which include MP-5 9-mm rifles, AK-47 assault rifles, Glock pistols and 7.62 mm Arsenal/ Assault rifles, he added.

UNI