CRPF urges govt. not to take away VIP security duties
What's the story
India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) paramilitary force has requested the government not to stop it from conducting VIP duties.
The force has said it's the only "soft posting" available to its personnel who normally serve in relatively dangerous locations like Kashmir, the northeast or Maoist violence-affected areas.
The CRPF currently provides security to around 75 VIPs, including Amit Shah and Mukesh Ambani.
Details
Govt. wants CRPF, ITBP to hand over duties to CISF
Last month, the government decided that the CRPF and Indo-Tibetan Border Police's (ITBP) VIP security responsibilities would be transferred to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
Currently, the ITBP handles the security of 17 VIPs, including Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti.
Unlike the CRPF, the ITBP has no problems in allowing the CISF to take over its VIP security duties.
Stance
CRPF says its huge VIP security infrastructure would go waste
In a letter to the home ministry, the CRPF said its jawans account for 30% of all personnel serving in the Special Protection Group (SPG) and National Security Guard (NSG) VIP security forces.
The CRPF has allocated 4,000 men to its VIP security unit, for which large-scale infrastructure has been developed.
This could all be wasted if its VIP security role is removed.