Date:17/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/17/stories/2008121761600300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

City police seek NSG help to set up commando unit

Staff Reporter

Request to train 30 policemen by NSG

The idea to form a commando team was mooted after the Mumbai terror strike
City police to train residents to fight terrorism

KOCHI: The city police are awaiting a response from the National Security Guards (NSG) for setting up a special unit with commando training within the force. It has written to the NSG through the police headquarters, requesting for training a batch of personnel from the force.

“Our request was to include a batch of 30 persons from our force in their routine training sessions,” said Manoj Abraham, City Police Commissioner.

The idea of forming a platoon ready with commando training was mooted soon after the Mumbai terrorist attacks last month. Senior police officials say that Kochi is more vulnerable in terms of coastal security. The city police are now trying to build a force that could be pressed into action immediately after a terrorist strike to hold on till the specialist forces take over. If the NSG is not responding to the request, other options like seeking training assistance from Grey Hounds, the elite commando force of the Andhra Pradesh police, the Army or the Navy will be tried. The State government has mooted the idea of forming two companies of commandos. “But this is basically new appointments and is expected to take time. We are working towards forming a team at the earliest using serving personnel,” said Mr. Abraham.

Another option before the city police is to bring trainers from any of the specialist units. But then, the lack of support mechanism works against this option. Hence, the force is hoping to get a positive response from one of these agencies.

In the meantime, the police are working towards streamlining the information gathering mechanism, as an effort to gear up against the threat of a terrorist strike.

The force has decided to go beyond the age-old techniques of relying on personal contacts of policemen. This system, it is pointed out, is futile against the huge floating population, which has been pointed out as a big chink in the security armour. The situation will become more complicated with the completion of projects like the International Container Transhipment Terminal at Vallarpadam.

Assistance sought

The city police have sought the assistance of hoteliers, restaurant owners and tourism operators to monitor the movement of strangers in the city. Along with this, the police are planning to provide training for five members from every residents’ association in the city to equip them for supporting the fight against terrorism.

Those selected will be given training on how to identify bombs or other explosives that could be planted in public spaces.

Similar training will also be given to autorickshaw and taxi drivers as well as those working in shops near public spaces like railway stations and bus terminals.