Four hubs set up to sharpen NSG effectiveness
National security is of paramount importance for the progress and development of a nation. National Security Guard (NSG) is the elite organization raised to provide security in specialized and crucial areas. It was raised in 1984 as a federal contingency deployment force of the Government to deal with anti-terrorist activities and take up anti-hijacking and rescue operations in whatever shape they may take, in any part of the country.
It is a task-oriented Force and has two complementary elements in the form of the Special Action Group (SAG) comprising Army personnel, and the Special Rangers Group (SRG) comprising personnel drawn from the Central/State Police Forces. NSG personnel are trained for specialized and high risk counter-hijacking and counter-terrorist operations. NSG Commandos are also assigned the task of providing security to VIPs.
Glorious 25 years
The force has rendered yeomen’s service to the nation in its short span of existence. NSG has displayed swiftness and efficacy as a strike force in dealing with crisis situations and has thwarted terrorist attacks with surgical precision. It has conducted a number of operations including ‘Operation Black Thunder’ (May 1988), Operation ‘Vajra Shakti’ at the Akshar Dham Temple, Ahmedabad (October 2002) and Operation ‘Black Tornado’ in Mumbai (November 2008) to name a few. NSG personnel have not hesitated in making the supreme sacrifices whether it was at the Akshar Dham Temple or the Taj Hotel and Nariman House at Mumbai. In recognition of the services rendered, NSG personnel have been conferred 293 medals in its history. These include 65 for gallantry and 228 medals for distinguished service.
NSG Hubs to Reduce Reaction Time
The devastating incidents at Mumbai last year proved beyond doubt that terrorism is no longer confined to particular areas. It has become a global phenomenon, posing serious threat to security and prosperity of all nations. It has become difficult to precisely forecast the exact trajectory of futuristic terrorism. Post 26/11, it was felt necessary to station NSG at more locations in the country so as to reduce reaction time and make the force more effective in dealing with such mindless acts of terror. Consequently, the Government decided to establish four Regional Hubs of NSG at Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai.
Hubs become Operational
Acting in a fast track mode, four Regional hubs of NSG with a total strength of 1086 personnel have been set up by the Government at Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai. Shri P.Chidambaram, Home Minister formally inaugurated these hubs on 30th June and Ist July, 2009. NSG and State police will maintain a close liaison. In case of any crisis situation, NSG can be deployed immediately on the request of the concerned State Government. A Quick Reaction Team of NSG has also been set up at the IGI Airport, Delhi for quick deployment in case of an emergent situation.
The Hubs have been established at Marol in Mumbai, Nedunkundram in Chennai, Trimulghery in Hyderabad and Badu in Kolkata. Pre-fabricated and permanent structures are being constructed to station NSG commandos at these locations. The National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd. (NBCC) has been assigned the construction work. The State Governments including civil and police administration, Airport Authority of India and Army have extended full assistance in the establishment and opeationalisation of the hubs within the scheduled time-frame.
The Government has also decided to set up two Regional Centres of NSG at Hyderabad and Kolkata on the lines of the existing NSG force at Manesar, Haryana. Action is being taken to acquire the land required for setting up of these Centres.
An amount of Rs.409.40 crore has been provided in the budget for NSG during the financial year 2009-10. This also includes an amount of Rs.150.09 crore for establishing Regional Hubs.
For the Mumbai Hub, the Government of Maharashtra have provided 23 acres of land in the city. At present, the Hub is being operated from Police Training Centre, Kalina, Santacruz. NSG has already taken possession of the land at Marol, Thungvey, Mumbai and construction work has been taken up. It is expected that the infrastructure would be ready by end-November 2009 and the Hub would start functioning from its own campus.
At Hyderabad, the NSG Hub will be set up on 22 acres of area in Trimulghery. In addition to the Regional Hub, Hyderabad will also have a full-fledged NSG Regional Centre very soon. With operationalization of the Regional Centre, NSG will be in a position to organize training for police forces in South Indian States in critical areas like VIP security (for which NSG has been declared the Centre of Excellence) and Bomb Disposal, and also train Police Commando Instructors.
In Chennai, 85 acres of land has been acquired from the State Government at Nedungundram in Kanchipuram District for establishing the Hub. While permanent structures will come up in the next few months, temporary accommodation for NSG troops has been arranged at Ashok Nagar, Police Training College Campus, Chennai. NBCC has already been entrusted with the responsibility of creating the infrastructure at the hub which is expected to become operational in November this year. The Tamil Nadu Government is being asked to take steps to complete the construction of approach road connecting the Kelambakkam State Highway with the Hub location. In the near future, a Regional Centre will also be established at Kolkata. The Regional Centre, Kolkata will essentially look after the eastern part of the country.
Providing Air Edge to NSG
Notification under the Aircraft Act, 1984, empowering certain officers of Central Government and NSG to requisition aircraft to enable quick movement of NSG teams during an emergency has been issued. Towards this end, voluntary agreements have also been entered into between NSG and scheduled airlines operators registered under DGCA.
Hubs to Raise Effectiveness of NSG
NSG Regional Hubs are a step towards achieving operational efficiency in combating terrorism. These Hubs will encourage effective and swift response in minimum time so as to minimize damage in the event of any such mischief in the future. However, a coordinated response by all State authorities and agencies is an important pre-requisite for fighting the war on terror successfully. This can be achieved by integrating resources, skills available at hand, and with mutual cooperation. NSG has been assisting the State Governments by training State Police personnel in various critical areas like VIP security and bomb disposal and shall be able to do so in a bigger way with the increase in their resources when Regional Centres come up.
With these new initiatives, it is hoped that NSG will emerge stronger in facing the future challenges with the same exemplary devotion and professional excellence for which it is known.
*Director(M & C), PIB, New Delhi
RTS/VN
SS-82/SF-82/12.08.2009
(Release ID :51795)