Elite force to handle aviation security soon

Elite force to handle aviation security soon
MANOJ K DAS

KOCHI, MARCH 1: The country will soon have an exclusive elite special forcefor handling the whole gamut of security issues vis-a-vis the aviationscenario.

Proposed to be introduced as a separate wing under the Bureau of CivilAviation Securities, the blueprint of the concept is being given finishingtouches.

According to sources, though the BCAS wanted to unveil the novel concept onJanuary 18, its foundation day, the presentation was postponed due to thehijack drama and eventual developments at Khandahar.

``It was shelved temporarily due to certain technical reasons...But theincident underscored the need for having in-flight security personnel aswell as for tightening security at all airports,'' an official said.

The chinks in the armour were further exposed when two senior BCAS officialswere successful in carrying a gun and grenades on board a domestic flight. This ``mock drill'' sparked panic across the country as it came in the wakeof increasing incidents of militant attacks in Jammu and Kashmir andworsening law and order situation in other parts of the country.

``Another factor on which the `mock drill' threw light was the lack ofaccountability...The personnel on duty at airports currently are those drawnfrom other forces, especially the state police, on deputation. "We cannotquestion them for lapses as they don't come under us. This not only helpsthe erring persons to go scot-free but leaves us an embarrassed lot,'' asenior BCAS official said.

Because of this, the BCAS has asked the Central Government to replace theexisting security personnel at airports with men from the Central IndustrialSecurity Force (CISF). Five airports, including the NedumabsseryInternational airport, have been handed over to the CISF and the cover wouldbe extended to six other airports soon.

``This will only be an ad hoc arrangement till our own special force isready. The CISF itself does not have these many hands and is forced todepute personnel from other para-military forces.''

The BCAS is planning its security infrastructure in lines with thoseexisting at international airports like the Heathrow, etc. ``It will be atotally unique force trained in all aspects of commando operations andweaponry. They won't be obvious, but an invisible presence.''

That the force won't be fighting against an enemy, the training module hastobe stimulated accordingly. Intelligence training will also form part of thecourse. The elite force, it is learnt, will not be in uniform.

``And these aspects are being worked out. There will be more than 25,000personnel to man the 120 airports in the country. The men would also beassisted by electronic monitoring mechanisms and equipment,'' sources said.The BCAS is the policy making and monitoring body in all civil aviationmatters in the country. It is the designated authority by the InternationalCivil Aviation Organisation.