CRPF – A Multi-Pronged, Multi-Tasking, Versatile Force

Central Reserve Police Force, one of the  the largest Paramilitary in the world, has come of age and has matured into a multi-pronged, multi-tasking, versatile Force, fighting with varied adversaries. Adaptability has been a keyword for CRPF, which has come across many intricate and complicated forms of internal security issues threatening the largest democracy. Ever since its birth, in 1939 as Crown Representative Police, to deal with hooligans like criminal and dacoits, it is constantly at task with increased demands. Over the decades, it has shown its prowess in challenging the enemy on its home-turf. May it be the tough terrain of Left Wing Extremism Area, treacherous terrain of North-East, the diehard Militants of Punjab or extremists flourishing in J & K. CRPF has stood the test of time. Apart from exchanging bullets with militants, CRPF had been instrumental in maintaining law and order during General Elections, Amarnath Yatra, J & K agitation, Kandhmal and …….the list is unending. During any national calamity, CRPF remains one of the first responders.

            Today CRPF is fighting in three areas of conflict, i.e., North-East insurgency, J & K militants and Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas. Of the three, LWE affected area is the one which has in recent years grabbed the attention, in terms of intensity of conflict. The so called Maoists are throwing a serious challenge not just due to the number of atrocities committed by them but also due to the pace and space it is expanding. The constant operations and presence of CRPF in the Maoist affected area resulted in sharp decline of human casualties and recovery of huge illegal weapons and stores. Pathbreaking success was scored by CRPF and CoBRA commandos (the elite special forces of CRPF) on 24^thNovember, 2011 in a meticulously planned operation. CRPF, on one hand, took tough stand on naxals and launched major offensive operations, it simultaneously worked for the betterment of society by undertaking Civic Action Programme. It is conducting Civic Action Programmes, which are basically support programmes for the lowest strata of society and students, even in the impenetrable areas, where the local administration is yet to make a foray. These programmes have thus acted as a bridge between the administration and local populace, in those areas and the district administration gets a first hand account of the problems being faced by the local population. Though the present thrust is on Left-Wing affected areas, but the problems of J & K and North-East have also not been put on backburner. Constant vigil and eye on anti-national elements is kept and offensive operations are launched, whenever required.

Training and Morale constitute the backbone of any uniformed force. In view of the latest operational scenario, every jawan has to be self-contained, light weight, having night vision capabilities, possessing precision weaponry, able to handle sophisticated weapon and high tech radio equipment, proficient in GPS and map reading and expert in Jungle Craft and Survival, which is the need of the Force. The training syllabi of the Force has been revamped to meet the specific need of the Force, keeping in view the multifarious duties it performs. One minute drills of various types such as uniform drill, strengthening drills, weapons drills, vehicle drills, reflex drills, operational drill, survival drill, night drill and sports drill etc. have been introduced. Strenuous Heli-slithering exercise aimed for Confidence training, has been started. A  week long jungle survival training, in addition to the one already existing, has been introduced to train the officers and men to conceptualize real time situations, based on “train as you fight and fight as you train” basis. Counter Insurgency and Anti Terrorism ( CIAT )  Course at Silchar ( Assam) or Shivpuri (M.P.), has been made compulsory for Officers after their basic training. This prepares them for effective leadership in LWE areas. Baffle ranges (50mtrs. To 200 mtrs.) have been created at 13 different locations. Dynamic targets in these give a feel of a real time field like situation. A Pool of Trainers is created by introduction of “Training of Trainers” course to maintain a steady flow of trainers. Mentoring for trainers has been introduced for building correct attitude and bringing necessary attitudinal change to develop positive attitude for preparation of outstanding instructors. Buddy System has been introduced to enhance operational efficiency and also effective welfare of personnel.

             To enhance and sharpen the operational capabilities of the Force, with an eye on its diverse roles, skill-specific Specialized Schools have been set up across the country. Intelligence School at Kadarpur, Gurgaon will train the personnel in the crucial skill of intelligence gathering; ToT (Training of Trainers) School, at Dharampur, Himachal Pradesh will ensure a steady supply of high-quality trainers for the Force. To counter the menace of IEDs, an Indian Institute of IED Management ( IIIM ) has been established at Pune. Since the thrust of the Force at present, is on Naxal dominated areas, a National Institute of Jungle Warfare  is being established at Belgaum, Karnataka.  To ensure unbridled delivery of sumptuous food to jawans, a College of Cooking and Catering Management, Taralu, Karnataka has been established. A College of Information & Technology has been set up at Bangalore, Karnataka. To keep the  fervor of communal harmony intact, a RAF Training School is being set up at Meerut shortly. In addition to above, a “Dog Breeding and Training School” has been set up at Taralu, Bangalore. These schools will considerably enhance the strike capability of the Force.

A giant leap towards the welfare of personnel has been taken with the Cabinet Committee on Security approving the proposal of MHA to declare retired Central Armed Police Force personnel as “Ex-Central Armed Police Force Personnel” and the State/UT governments have been requested to extend suitable benefits to them on the lines of benefits extended by the State/UT Governments to the Ex-Servicemen of Defence Forces.

The Ministry of Railways has approved attachment of extra coach in 7 trains, of sectors in North-East, J & K, Central and Southern region, on regular basis, for CAPF personnel serving in these regions, for a period of one year.

It is said “Knowledge is Power, Ideas Rule the world”. CRPF provides educational assistance to its personnel for providing good education to the wards of its personnel. Two state-of-the-Art schools viz. CRPF Public School Rohini and CRPF Public School, Dwarka have been established in Delhi to provide quality education to students. Rankwise Percentage of Scholarship to meritorious children of personnel has also been increased and in the case of Followers/deceased/disabled/single girl child, only passing marks are required for earning a scholarship.

Risk Fund benefits to families of deceased have been substantially enhanced, with a portion of the sum to be awarded to the parents of the deceased. Owing to a increased number of injured personnel in various operations, the invalidation benefits have been increased from two to four fold with varying degree of invalidation. The immediate financial assistance to the next of kin of deceased,  towards funeral charges, has also been increased from Rs. 10,000/- to Rs.15,000/-.

CRPF is living up to its motto of “Service & Loyalty”, with worthwhile contribution to the unhindered progress of the nation.

- Inputs from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Indian Coast Guard:‘Vayam Rakshamah’

The Indian Coast Guard celebrated its 36th Anniversary on 1st February, 2013. Since its inception, the service has grown into a multi-faceted and vibrant force, maintaining round the clock vigil in the Maritime Zones of India, by deploying its multi-role ships and aircraft.

Beginning with a modest inventory of two frigates seconded from the Indian Navy and five boats from the Customs Department , the service today has attained a force level of 77 ships and 56 aircraft. During the past year, one Pollution Control Vessel, six Inshore Patrol Vessels, four Air Cushion Vessels and two Interceptor Boats have been inducted. In addition to the establishment of a Regional Headquarter (NE) and activation of eight CG Stations, activation / commissioning of three CG Stations has been planned in early 2013.

The Indian Coast Guard today is on the path of rapid expansion, with a large number of state-of-the-art ships, boats and aircraft under construction at various shipyards/ Public Sector units (PSUs), and a Coast Guard Academy to be established in the near future. The Coast Guard organizational structure will have five Regional Headquarters, 12 District Headquarters, 42 Stations and 15 Air Units functioning all along the Indian coast.

On the manpower front, the service has initiated several measures to augment its manpower by introduction of Short Service Appointment (SSA) for women officers in General Duty and General Duty (CPL holders) branches, departmental promotions of outstanding Subordinate Officers and conduct of special recruitments drives.

An average of 20 ships and 8-10 aircraft are tasked daily, to keep the vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and coastline under constant surveillance. The Indian Coast Guard has also set up the Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN), that comprise of network of coastal surveillance radars and electro optic sensors at 46 remote sites, including 36 on the main land, six in Lakshadweep Islands and four in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Regular community interaction programmes are being conducted by Indian Coast Guard in the fishing villages all along the coast. These programmes are aimed at sensitizing the fishing community on the prevailing security situation and to develop them to be the ‘eyes and ears’ for intelligence gathering. In addition, during the past year, the Indian Coast Guard conducted 20 coastal security exercises and 21 coastal security operations.

Maritime Search and Rescue in the Indian Search and Rescue Region is undertaken by the Indian Coast Guard round the clock. Untiring efforts under difficult conditions have resulted in saving of 204 lives in the last year. A total of 30 medical evacuations at sea were also undertaken by the ICG during this period.

The Indian Coast Guard has carved a niche for itself at the International level and is today recognized as the leaders in the region. Institutionalized visits as per Memorandum of Cooperation/Understanding are being conducted regularly. The 12th Indo-Japan Coast Guard High Level Meeting was held in January 2013 at Tokyo, Japan. The 8th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Meeting was held at New Delhi in October 2012. It was of great significance. Since this meeting was held for the first time in India. In addition, Indo-Pak Joint Working Group Meeting was at New Delhi held in July 20 12, for the first time.

The Indian Coast Guard has been expanding and is witnessing all around development, in both capacity and capability. State-of-the-art ships and aircraft manned by competent and professional officers and men take pride in serving the Nation and protecting our maritime domain. The theme of the Indian Coast Guard for the year 2013 is ‘Focused on Maritime Safety and Security’, which aptly reflects the commitment and resolve of the service, and is in tune with its motto ‘Vayam Rakshamah’ meaning ‘We Protect’.
-Hamid Hussain,APRO(Defence)

CISF:Providing Safe and Secure Environment

CISF came into existence in 1969 as a specially trained Force for providing security cover to the Public Sector Undertakings of the country. In a span of four and a half decades, the Force has grown manifold with strength of more than one lakh thirty three thousand. With growing profile and expanding service base, CISF is no longer a PSU-centric Force, instead it has become a premier multi-skilled security agency of the country, mandated to provide security cover to major critical infrastructure and very important persons of the country in diverse areas.

CISF is currently providing security cover to Airports, Sea Ports, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Power Plants, Steel Plants, Oil Refineries, Coal Mines, Delhi Metro, National Monuments, Very Important Persons (VIPs), Sensitive Government Buildings, and Indian Embassy in Nepal. CISF has also deployed a Formed Police Unit (FPU) of the UN at Haiti since 2008 and deployed in private critical industries like Infosys, Electronic City and Reliance Industries . The increased demand for CISF is a testimony of its professionalism and commitment towards the assigned task.

CISF is also providing security cover with the strength of 25 thousand in 51 Naxal Affected Units in Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. CISF has borne the burnt of Naxal attacks in the recent past. On 4th March, 2012 at about 2330 Hrs, 200 armed Naxals carried out multi/pronged attacked at the Ashoka Out Post of CISF Unit CCL North Karanpura & Piparwar in Jharkhand. Naxalites attacked the Out Post with sophisticated weapons, petrol bombs and I.E.D’S in-order to take away weapons and explosives for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) ) to spoil the economic growth of the country as well as to tarnish the image of the Govt. The heavily armed Naxalites started indiscriminate firing from all directions on the duty post. 26 CISF personnel present at the post immediately took position and opened retaliating fire. They thwarted the attempt of Naxalites by holding them with continuous tactical firing and repulsed the attack. On account of that naxals were forced to retreat from the area. During this operation 4 naxals died and many were injured. 2 dead bodies and arms & ammunition of the naxalites were also recovered.

To meet any challenge at Airports, CISF personnel are trained in profiling and behaviour detection in order to detect and neutralize the persons, who could be a potential threat to the security of the airports. This endeavour has resulted in an excellent performance of CISF, where in the cases of smuggling/carrying of drugs and arms & ammunition were detected and recovered at airports. During routine/random checks and profiling of the potential suspects at entry point, CISF personnel have detected a huge quantity of drugs like Opium, Methamphetamine, Heroine, Pseudo-Ephedrine and Methaqualone drug and arms & ammunition at airports. Many Foreign Nationals were also apprehended for carrying contraband items at IGI Airport by the CISF personnel.

During the year 2012, a large number of cases were detected by CISF in airports, details of which in brief are as under:-

i) Detection of Contraband items - 11 cases
ii) Detection of wild life - 02 cases
iii) Apprehension of touts - 905 cases (Up to November 12)
iv) Recovery of unclaimed property - 18.34 Crores (Up to November 12)
v) Detection of Arms & Ammns. - 203 nos. (Up to November 12)

Two cases of baggage lifting gangs were also apprehended by the CISF personnel at Kolkata and IGI Airport.

Similar to airports, Metros all over the world are inherently vulnerable to terrorist attack on the basis of their open design and high volume of passengers transported everyday. In India Delhi Metro also provides an attractive target because of its high ridership, expansive infrastructure, economic significance and its potential for its mass casualties. It is therefore imperative that appropriate security measures are to be taken to safeguard Metro. In this regard the Government decided to hand over the security of Delhi Metro to CISF and CISF has taken over the charge of Delhi Metro on 15.04.2007. Since, then CISF is performing their duty with full appreciation of the commuters.

Recently in order to ensure security for female commuters, CISF has launched a special drive “Majnu” on 13-07-2012 to apprehend and de-board the male passengers from the reserve lady coach. CISF Unit DMRC Delhi has constituted six dedicated teams of woman staff to ensure the safety of woman commuters in metro trains especially during late night hours. Each team comprises of a Lady SI/Exe and three woman Constables. Members of the special team travel in lady coach in plain cloths to keep an eye on male commuters, who enter the woman coach or try to misbehave with them.

Upto December-2012 this special team has prosecuted 10814 male commuters and de-boarded them from the lady coach. So far 7014 male commuters have been fined @ Rs. 250/- each, resulting in the recovery of Rs. 17.55 Lac. Initiatives taken by CISF has boost up the morale of the female commuters and now they are travelling in late hours without any hesitation or fear in the Delhi Metro.

CISF as an armed force of the nation is doing its bit to provide safe and secure environment to the national assets and economic activities. As a professional organisation CISF efforts are for constant up-gradation of capacity, technology and manpower which will provide a total crime free climate to our citizens.
-Inputs from the Ministry of Home Affairs

Dornier-228: A Robust Surveillance Aircraft

India recently handed over a Dornier-228 surveillance aircraft to Seychelles. Manufactured by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Dornier-228 has proved itself as a robust surveillance flying machine. HAL manufactures this aircraft under licence agreement with the erstwhile Dornier GmbH of Germany at its Transport Aircraft Division, Kanpur, and has world-wide unfettered sales and marketing rights. Along with the airframe, engines and several of the systems and avionics are also produced in house at various Divisions of HAL ensuring single window life-time support to the customers. The cockpit is designed to accommodate two crew members and is fitted with duplicate controls. The cabin can accommodate 19 passengers in commuter configuration.

HAL-DO-228 owing to its highly efficient design philosophy and world class workmanship has been configured for variety of roles. It can be used as Regional Airliner, Air Taxi, for VIP/Executive Transport, Maritime Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Intelligence warfare and for Troop Transport, Para Jumping, Pollution detection and control, Search and Rescue, Casualty evacuation/Ambulance, Cargo and Logistics Support, Calibration of Airport Nav-aids, Geographical surveys, Aerial photography, Anti-submarine roles and as Observer training. Owing to these features, this aircraft is the proven workhouse of Indian Air Force, Coast Guard and Navy. National Coast Guard of Mauritius also utilizes two HAL supplied DO-228s for surveillance of their coast line and VIP transport.

The versatility of HAL-DO-228s are due to several in-built features-highest fuel carrying capacity in its class (2850 litres) due to integral fuel tanks in wings, low structural weight ensured through use of advanced composite materials, high wing design for unobstructed view and radar coverage, wide wheel base for better stability, short take-off and landing capability. The aircraft can take off from around 700 m and land within 575 m essentially required for operations from short and semi-prepared airfields, sturdy landing gears, rectangular cabin offering more head space for passengers and mounting space for equipment in case of special mission configuration as opposed to circular cabin, low floor level and wide door for easy loading/unloading of cargo, flight openable roller door, four wing hard points for mounting of external loads upto 1030 kg, optimum performance at normal cruising altitude for short haul applications enabled by the revolutionary design of wing aerofoil.
HAL has fitted several role specific equipment on this aircraft to meet the specialized requirement of customers. The maritime aircraft is equipped with combination of 360 deg Surveillance Radar, Forward Looking Infra Red System, Electronic Surveillance Measures System, Pollution Detection and Control Equipment, Satellite Communication, Data Link, Speech Secrecy, Traffic Collision and Avoidance System, Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System and host of other customer specified sensors.

HAL-DO-228 production in India was launched with Vayudoot, the first regional airlines of the country. Vayudoot extensively utilized its fleet of 10 aircraft covering almost all parts of the country and at one point of time achieved highest utilization of DO-228s among all carriers throughout the world. Vayudoot DO-228s were configured to carry 19 passengers as standard fitment, a small galley and functional toilet.

The world over it has been experienced that for a sustainable growth in passenger traffic, development of regional air routes is of paramount importance. Hub and spoke network is an established model wherein the regional traffic is built at selected hubs through regional spokes. The hubs thus created would fall on trunk routes catered by large airlines. The regional routes are best served initially by a smaller turbo-prop aircraft of around 19 seater category.

Regional air routes in India are now again poised for growth. HAL-DO-228s are the ideal aircraft for regional applications supported with previous experience, availability of aircraft and its maintenance infrastructure within the country. Discussions are underway with prospective operators.

To keep the aircraft contemporary with latest technology developments HAL continuously strives through its strong research and design base, to develop and integrate new modifications. The methodology ensures obsolescence free product, ease of maintenance and high serviceability for the operator. The aircraft cockpit is being reconstructed with fully digital glass cockpit and will be on display during Aero India in Bangalore scheduled from 6th–11th Feb 2013. In addition several other modifications like digital auto-pilot, upgraded avionics and other systems are also on the cards.

Fuelled by the growth prospects of this aircraft, HAL has also set eyes on export market. While the full aircraft structures are already being exported to Germany for assembly and supply to world-wide market, efforts are underway to achieve direct exports. The company is making efforts to exploit conducive military markets in Mauritius, Nepal, Vietnam, South Africa, Afghanistan and Columbia. Efforts are also to penetrate civil export markets that are suited for HAL-DO-228s.
-Director (PR), Ministry of Defence.