Third National Conference of CASPI and APDI on Oct 13

Bangalore, Oct 11 (ANI/Business Wire India): The Third National Conference of CAPSI (Central Association of Private Security Industry) and APDI (Association of Private Detectives and Investigators) will be held in Bangalore on October 13.

The theme for this year's conference is "Homeland Security - A Determined Approach".

Home Minister Shivraj V Patil will inaugurate the two-day conference. Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa will preside over the inaugural session.

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dijvijay Singh would be the chief guest in the valedictory ceremony and the session would be presided over by Dr.V.S.Acharya, Home Minister, State of Karnataka.

As threat perceptions have changed, the role of people engaged in security and maintaining law and order have also undergone a sea change. These days the emphasis is on waging low intensity wars where the focus is primarily homeland security. Against this backdrop and the current security scenario, which is not just a domestic issue but has assumed global proportions, the role of CAPSI has acquired immense significance.

There have been enough discussions around the security measures that should be adopted by the government to deal with the threat of terror, but none of the proposed measures are likely to have much effect unless a model of private and public partnership is developed. At present the ratio of public to private security forces is 1:5, this represents an excellent perspective of how private agencies can be used to maintain law and order situation. Apart form this by allowing private participation in maintaining law and order situation, the law makers will have a lot more feet on the ground and many more eyes and ears as well.

Moreover it has been observed that preparedness for tackling manmade disaster situations at the national level is not at all effective and a lot needs to be done. As a matter of fact the question of tackling terror is deeply connected with assessing the effective preparedness in relation to emergency services. It can be safely asserted that after any violent attack in any Indian city emergency services have proved to be less then adequate to meet the need of the hour. In western countries the damage caused by a terror attack is mitigated by an efficient response mechanism. CAPSI's involvement in this area will have far reaching positive consequences for the country as a whole.

Vishwanath V Katti, Chairman of Karnataka Chapter of CAPSI said, "CAPSI is capable of providing 'first hand response' services to deal with any disaster management situations due to the presence of private security personnel in critical urban areas and the establishment of a trained security staff can prove very useful in assisting evacuation and other related operations. The availability of a force of 50 Lac trained private security personnel can greatly enhance the response capability of National Disaster Management Authority and that too without spending extra money".

Kunwar Vikram Singh, National Chairman of CAPSI and APDI, who has been a great advocate of private and public partnership in the sector of security to tackle the menace of terrorism in India said, "CAPSI which represents the entire social spectrum of India, where every community is a equal stake holder in the process and preservation of law and order, peace and harmony in society, will go a long way in ensuring anti terror response which is effective and efficient".

It is necessary to mention here that Private Detective Agencies Regulation bill has already been introduced in the Rajya Sabha and is expected to be passed in the next session of parliament. After the bill is passed only licensed detectives will be able to operate in the country. Association of Private Detectives and Investigators is on the process of starting graduation and post graduation courses in the field of investigation and intelligence which will help greatly in eradication the problem of unemployment in the country, aside of contributing to the law and order situation in the country.

Some of the issues that would be discussed at the conference are Terrorism and Homeland security; Security threats and Solutions; Role of Private Security Forces in Disaster Management; Growth of security Industry In India, Quality tools for Home land security; Importance of Electronic systems in Homeland security.

ANI