Paramilitary forces being expanded: Duggal

Tekanpur, MP, Nov 1 (UNI) Paramilitary forces are being expanded in view of the situation along India's borders and internal security, Union Home Secretary V K Duggal said today.

''In the post-Kargil scenario, the Centre began implementing the principle of 'one border-one paramilitary force','' he told mediapersons after witnessing an assistant commandants' passing-out parade at the Border Security Force (BSF) Academy here.

Consequently, the BSF was placed in charge of the borders facing Pakistan and Bangladesh, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) maintains a vigil along the Sino-Indian border and the Assam Rifles guards the Myanmar border.

''The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has submitted a proposal for raising 10 battalions that will bring in about 18,000 personnel. The BSF and ITBP have also proposed enhancing battalions.

The Centre will take a decision soon,'' the Secretary added.

When it comes to internal security and border management, the chief tasks are preventing external aggression, infiltration, smuggling of drugs and explosives.

''Coastal security is also in special focus and a sum of Rs 500 crore was disbursed for it. Besides, Rs 400 crore were provided to Gujarat and Maharashtra especially for establishment of police stations, training, modernisation and opening of an academy. The first response to an attack on the border has to be given by paramilitary forces while the Army steps in later,'' Mr Duggal explained.

Responding to a question on wage anomalies of paramilitary forces, he said that as per the Home Ministry's policy paramilitary forces enjoy the status of 'Armed Forces of the Union'.

''Certain allowances are higher for paramilitary personnel while some others are higher for Army personnel. Union Home Minister Shivraj V Patil is seized of the matter and has conducted a meeting in this regard. Thirty CRPF battalions are in reserve for combating naxalism,'' the bureaucrat added.

In the context of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agents being nabbed in some states, Mr Duggal admitted that India's borders were porous at several places.

''The Nepal and Bangladesh borders are suspect but our intelligence network combines with state governments to foil infiltration attempts. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has provided a few crucial suggestions, at a meeting of chief ministers, for strengthening the network of informers,'' he said.

UNI XC-AC 1646