CISF Takes Over Parliament Building Security From CRPF For This Reason

OB Bureau

May 20, 2024 8:25 am

New Delhi: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has taken over the security of the Parliament building, replacing the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). It took nearly 13 years to deploy, plan and train the dedicated Parliament Duty Group (PDG), but the unit was disbanded within 10 years, owing to a 2023 security lapse. Friday was the last day of duty for approximately 1,400 jawans who have been guarding the Parliament building since 2013, News18 reported.

An official communication informed them that they had to vacate their current duties following a security lapse. Members of the specialised group expressed surprise and disappointment at the abrupt and “ungraceful” end to their mission. The exit followed an inquiry into a security lapse at Parliament, led by Anish Dayal Singh, Director General (DG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and other security experts, which recommended restructuring of the Parliament building’s security, the report added.

“We have been guarding the Parliament building for a very long time. Within five months, everything took a turn for the worse, and the jawans were asked to surrender their duties and look for new tasks. The committee, tasked with conducting an inquiry into last year’s security lapse, was headed by the DG CRPF, but it was decided that the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is more suitable than the CRPF to protect the building,” an official told News18 on condition of anonymity.

Sources told News18 that the CISF, with almost 150% more troops than the PDG, is now deployed at the Parliament building. The government was not keen on a multi-force structure, as also suggested by the committee. As the CRPF is not specialised in guarding institutions and buildings, it was decided to deploy the CISF, a specialised guarding force. The CISF is deployed at all vital institutions, key airports including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, and buildings of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance, etc.

Sources told News18 that the CISF, with almost 150% more troops than the PDG, is now deployed at the Parliament building. The government was not keen on a multi-force structure, as also suggested by the committee. As the CRPF is not specialised in guarding institutions and buildings, it was decided to deploy the CISF, which is a specialised guarding force. The CISF is deployed at all vital institutions, key airports including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, and buildings of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance, etc.

Earlier, the CRPF was removed from Jammu, Srinagar and Leh airports and the Kot Bhalwal Jail. The CRPF used to send jawans from J&K and Maoist-hit areas so that in case of any adverse situation, they could handle it easily. It also allowed jawans to spend some days with their families.