The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : RPF upgrading its capabilities to meet challenges: Ranjit Sinha

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Sunday, May 16, 2010
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

RPF upgrading its capabilities to meet challenges: Ranjit Sinha

Special Correspondent

Integrated Security Scheme to be completed within three years

— Photo: M. Moorthy

Ranjit Sinha, Director General, RPF, addressing the media in Tiruchi on Saturday.

TIRUCHI: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) was upgrading its capabilities, both in terms of infrastructure and manpower, to meet the security challenges and additional responsibilities given to the force, said Ranjit Sinha, Director General, RPF.

Elaborating on the various measures taken by the RPF to enhance its capabilities, Mr. Sinha said the Integrated Security Scheme taken up at a cost of about Rs.350 crore for improving the security infrastructure in select stations across the country would be completed within the next three years.

“We have identified about 500 stations and the scheme is being implemented in about 140 stations in phase I,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Dikshant Parade at the RPF Training Centre in Tiruchi on Saturday.

Under the scheme, latest security equipment including closed circuit television cameras, bomb detection and disposal squads, baggage scanners, sniffer dog squads, boundary walls for access control and plug unauthorised entry into railway stations were being put in place.

About 5,000 persons would be recruited to the RPF and RPSF in various ranks soon.

The recruitment process would commence this year. The RPF was also taking Home Guards on deputation wherever necessary. RPF men engaged in non-core activities were being pulled back for basic police duties in view of the increasing responsibilities of the force.

The RPF was sending its men for training in various institutions to upgrade their capabilities. Bomb detection and commando training were being imparted through various organisations, including the Army and para-military forces. The Army was also providing training to the RPF's canine force, he said.

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