New Delhi: The country`s elite counter-terror
force NSG has curtailed its expansion plans and induction of
5,000 personnel due to non-availability of land for creation
of a new regional centre in West Bengal.
Top sources in the Home Ministry and the `black cats`
force said that while NSG has got a 600-acre land in Hyderabad
for its regional centre, the force had to contend with 35
acres for a similar facility in West Bengal.
This development, sources said, has held back NSG`s plan
to absorb the fresh strength of more than 10,000 personnel on
deputation from the army and central paramilitary forces. The
force has now phased its strengthening plan and will only
induct 5,000 men in the first go.
The National Security Guard (NSG) was sanctioned a fresh
strength of 10,904 personnel in the aftermath of the 26/11
attacks and these men were stipulated to be housed in the four
new hubs and two regional centres at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai
and Hyderabad.
"The NSG strengthening plan, in terms of manpower, will
be delayed. As and when the force gets additional land it will
induct the rest 5,000 men and house them after they are
trained and modelled on the pattern of the elite force," an
official source said.
The existing hubs, with 241 combat commandos and those
from the central paramilitary forces, have been established at
Marol (23 acres) in Mumbai, Nedunkundram (85 acres) in
Chennai, Trimulghery (22 acres) in Hyderabad and Badu (20
acres) in Kolkata.
PTI
