New Delhi: CISF Takes Over Parliament Security from CRPF
More than 3,300 CISF personnel are set to assume full responsibility for counterterrorism and anti-sabotage security at the Parliament complex starting Monday, following the withdrawal of over 1,400 CRPF staff, official sources confirmed.
According to sources, the parliament duty group (PDG) of the CRPF concluded its administrative and operational activities at the complex on Friday. The command was handed over to the incoming CISF group, led by a deputy inspector general (DIG)-rank officer.
The deployment of 3,317 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel was mandated after a government directive following a security breach on December 13, 2023. During this incident, individuals breached security, releasing smoke and shouting slogans inside the Lok Sabha chamber.
From Monday at 6 am, the CISF’s counterterrorism unit will assume full charge, securing both old and new Parliament buildings, alongside associated structures in central Delhi. The deployment includes guarding entry gates, canine squads, firefighting teams, CCTV monitoring, communication centers, and anti-sabotage operations.
Previously securing the Parliament jointly, the CRPF PDG, Delhi Police contingent, and parliament security staff (PSS) will now be withdrawn, according to senior CISF officers. CISF personnel have undergone familiarization exercises and received new uniforms in preparation for their duties.
Future plans involve integrating the PDG unit with CRPF’s VIP security wing and redeploying PSS staff to other central government installations. The CISF contingent, initially on temporary duty, anticipates permanent sanction post the general elections.
CISF personnel have undergone rigorous training in security protocols, including screening, frisking, bomb detection, sniper response, and public engagement, supplemented by joint exercises with NSG commandos.
Reflecting on their tenure, departing CRPF PDG troops commemorated their service with memories and acknowledgments of their role in safeguarding the Parliament complex, expressing regret over the duty’s transfer despite their dedicated service during past incidents.
