Govt Mulls CISF Troops Onboard Indian Merchant Vessels

The Indian government is mulling deploying armed CISF guards onboard domestic merchant vessels in order to thwart any piracy attempt, the deccanherald reports.

The CISF personnel will travel on the vessels in the Indian Ocean region up to the tip of Somalia.

“The government is desirous of giving the responsibility to us. However, no decision has been taken and nitty gritty are being deliberated at present,” CISF Director General Rajiv told reporters.

“Once we are entrusted with the new responsibility, we will need to train our personnel with the Indian Navy to acclimatise them for long-haul travelling on sea and we also will have to see how they will operate as the CISF is an armed force,” he added.

India was contemplating utilising services of armed guards from paramilitary forces for security duty on board on merchant vessels, union shipping secretary, K Mohandas said in Kochi last month.

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Naval Today Staff , March 05, 2012; Image: seasecurity