SABARIMALAI: The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the elite wing of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), has failed to deliver their services to the pilgrims during the ongoing festival season in comparison with the excellent service offered during the last two seasons.
Though the total strength of NDRF personnel, including officers, at Sabarimala was raised to 160 this season from 120 during the previous season, they failed to deliver the muchneeded assistance at least on two crucial occasions.
Absence of quality leadership and lack of dedication are the bane of the present team of NDRF personnel.
Widespread complaints have been raised about the lack of responsiveness of the force in spite of the demand for their assistance.
The failure of the NDRF personnel in taking crowd control measures at Marakkoottam and Sabaripeedom during the unprecedented rush of pilgrims on the opening day of the shrine on November 16 and on the first day of the Mandala pooja on November 17 raised eyebrows among police authorities and others concerned.
On two occasions of emergency evacuation, the NDRF officers failed to offer their service despite several requests for assistance. Exclusion of experienced and dedicated personnel from the present team is said to be the cause of the lack of dedication shown by the personnel of this elite force.