NEW DELHI: Independence Day high on its agenda, Delhi Police has sent a list of do’s and don’ts for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). But the forces, however, are not amused.
In its letter to their director generals, the Delhi Police has asked them not to deploy “disgruntled, unverified staff, joined after long leave” for VVIP security and routes.
“A large number of CAPF personnel would be made available to Delhi Police for the upcoming Independence Day. It is essential to take extra precautions to ensure that staff recently reported from long leave/absence or disgruntled/unverified are not deployed on VVIP or other essential duties during the celebrations on Independence Day,” said the official communication.
But paramilitary forces—SSB, CRPF and ITBP—have taken it as a negative gesture. “Forces not only work in Delhi, but majorly work in sensitive and border areas. If someone has taken a long leave that doesn’t mean the person is a security threat or can affect the arrangement in any manner,” a senior CRPF official said.
The order further stated, “Only security vetted personnel should be deployed in Delhi for various functions.”
A Delhi Police official, who is looking after the security arrangements for the Independence Day function, said, “Sometimes, staff may lead to a mess in the security arrangements. Security personnel are given hi-tech equipment during such events, and disgruntled staff may misuse it. So, it is very important to deploy verified staff for VVIP security.”
According to the government data, 344 paramilitary officers—three gazetted officers, 38 subordinate officers and 303 officers of other ranks—have committed suicide in the past three years. While 109 personnel died in 2014, 97 personnel committed suicide in 2015 and 82 in 2016. In 2017, 15 personnel committed suicide till March.