BANGALORE: The government is considering a proposal to increase allowances to police personnel of the special forces units — Garuda (anti-terror squad) and Anti-Naxal Force (ANF), Home Minister K J George said on Tuesday.
After inaugurating D-SWAT (Districts Special Weapons and Tactics Team) training at the Centre for Counter Terrorism here, he said: “During my last visit to an ANF camp I found that the personnel work under extreme conditions. I have discussed the proposal to enhance their allowance with the Chief Minister and it will come through soon,” he said.
There are demands from personnel belonging to the Garuda, chosen from City Armed Reserve (CAR), District Armed Reserve (DAR) and Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) for special allowances on par with similar forces in other states.
“Our salary now is same as what we got when we were with KSRP. In other states such special forces staff get 100 per cent increase in the salary. We are demanding at least 50 per cent enhancement,” an officer with Garuda, who attended the special training in the US, said. ADGP Internal Security Division Amar Kumar Pandey said Garuda has conducted joint training with NSG and other state counter-terror forces.
It has provided support for several sensitive events such as India-Pakistan T20 cricket match in December 2012, Mysore Dussehra procession and even during IPL 2014 matches in Bangalore.
The Centre for Counter Terrorism in the state was set up in 2010 and Garuda became operational in 2011. Garuda is equipped with modern weapons and vehicles.
Disaster Management Unit in b’lore
Home Minister K J George said a state-of-the-art Disaster Management Centre will be set up in the city. “Disaster management is a serious issue. It will be set up next to the Prisons DGP’s office on Sheshadri Road. The plan is to create a single room with all senior officials coordinating on disaster management. The Centre will also have an alternative communication device like a hotline,” the Home Minister said.