KISF to take shape soon

KISF to take shape soon
By R Venkatesh, DH News Service, Bangalore:
In the midst of heightened security concerns following the Mumbai terror attacks, the B S Yeddyurappa government has proposed to raise a Karnataka Industrial Security Force (KISF) on the lines of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).


The proposal, according to informed sources in the State government, envisages creation of a force of around 6,000-strong highly skilled, trained and armed men with the responsibility of providing foolproof security to all vital and sensitive public assets in Bangalore and across the state.

The public assets include dams, government buildings, heritage points and major highways and government buildings. The sources said the proposed KISF would also provide security cover to major private sector establishments in Bangalore and elsewhere which have been under the terror radar for quite some time.
The KISF proposal, said sources, would get the government's nod soon and a ‘corporation’ would be formed for the operations. A blueprint on recruitment, training and execution was being worked out, the sources said.
DGP&DG Fire Force and Home Guards Jija Harisingh virtually confirmed the proposal on Saturday. “We’re exploring the possibilities and are confident of turning the proposal into a reality,” she said.

Explaining the modalities of KISF, Harisingh said: “In the current scenario, there is a dearth of armed security personnel in the State, especially in the City. KISF can take over the security state assets, particularly some of the highly vital and sensitive installations including dams, heritage points, major highways and government buildings. In addition, they can cater to corporates in the private sector.”

The Home Guards was doing a good job, but since it is a voluntary force of unarmed personnel, it cannot perform the kind of role the CISF is doing for vital installations of the Union government, she felt. Hence, the need for KISF, she explained.

WHAT IS CISF

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was set up in March 1969 with 2,800 personnel for providing security to Central industrial undertakings. Subsequently, CISF was stransformed into an armed force in 1983. Its current strength is 1,05,000. It is directly under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and provides security to all public sector units and Central establishments.