FARCE CALLED INDIAN SECURITY

THE FARCE OF NATIONAL SECURITY--BY TAVLEEN SINGH Dear friends, During the course of my operations with Jet Airways and Sahara Airlines, I used to see an IL-76 parked in the last row among all the civilian airliners. This aircraft had no identifying marks except the Indian flag on the tail. From previous military knowledge I knew that this aircraft belonged to the ARC ( Aviation Research Centre) and although flown by Air Force Pilots it was controlled by the Home Ministry and RAW. This aircraft was designated to fly the NSG Commandos to their task. The idea of this aircraft was excellent because within a matter of 4 hrs the NSG could be positioned anywhere in India. Like all schemes run by the IAS or the police, this idea of quick reaction started off with a bang and later fizzled out because the home ministry found the prospect of a private aeroplane parked in Delhi too attractive to ignore. When the Mumbai attacks took place this aircraft had been sent on a routine errand to somewhere in the North and hence the awful delay in getting the Commandos to Mumbai. The National Security Guard consists of two elements, the SPG and the SAG under the command and control of the home ministry and presumably the cabinet secretary. The Special Protection group consists of policemen confined to VIP security(Z category and the type) while the Special Action Group consists of Army commandos under the Command of the Chief Operations Officer who is usually a Brigadier. This aircraft was meant exclusively for the use of the SAG but was being used to fullfill the requirements of the SPG. Over the years the SPG has expanded to form the dominant group within the NSG and the SAG reduced to Cinderella status. Security Of India? The politicians could'nt be bothered as long as their own asses are firmly secured. As Tavleen Singh says, no heads rolled over this most serious lapse. The security of India can only improve when this nation of politicians within the nation is dismantled and the politician is subject to the same threats as the ordinary Indian. WHY IS THE NSG NOT HEADED BY A MILITARY OFFICER WHEN THE PRIMARY TASK IS MILITARY