Date:02/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/07/02/stories/2009070261151300.htm

National

Chennai gets NSG hub

Special Correspondent

“It will help in swift response to terror attacks”

— Photo: M. Vedhan

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram interacts with NSG commandos after inaugurating the National Security Guards regional hub in Chennai on Wednesday. The others, from left, are T. Rajendran, Chennai City Police Commissioner, and N.P.S. Aulakh, DG, NSG.

CHENNAI: National Security Guards (NSG) hubs will come up all over the country as the government was keen on raising the level of preparedness enabling it to respond swiftly and decisively to terrorist attacks, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said.

Launching the NSG hub here on Wednesday, he said special forces of the Army and the Border Security Force would be used to set up hubs in Jodhpur and Guwahati.

While there was no specific threat of any terrorist attack, the objective of creating the hubs was to enable commandos to reach any scene of disturbance quickly.

Mr. Chidambaram said that in case of emergency the hub in Chennai would serve not only Tamil Nadu but also nearby areas.

The hub located at the Police Training College in Ashok Nagar would move to its permanent base at Nedungundram in Kancheepuram district by November.

“Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has agreed to expedite formation of a road in the area which will facilitate NSG teams to reach the Chennai airport in 12 minutes. The State police can seek the assistance of the NSG in the event of [a] terror threat or attack,” he said.

Joint exercises

The Home Minister said the NSG hub would also be a training ground for the State police.

“The level of the training would be the same. In fact, they [the NSG and State police] can be trained together. Police in Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh can also avail of the training facility,” Mr. Chidambaram said.

He said other plans on the security front would be finalised based on the funds allotted in the budget for internal security.

NSG Director-General N.P.S. Aulakh said the regional hubs were a step towards achieving operational efficiency in combating terrorism.

However, he added that a coordinated response by all State authorities was essential for tackling terrorism successfully.

“We look forward to sustained coordination with the agencies in our endeavour to counter terror and foster a peaceful environment. This can be achieved by integrating [the] resources and skills available and [by] mutual cooperation,” he said.

Mr. Aulakh thanked the State for allotting 85 acres of land free of cost at Nedungundram