'Pull up socks for security of assets on terrorists' list'

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday directed the CISF to develop a “core competence” of effectively securing strategic and iconic installations in the country which can be targeted by terrorists. In his speech at the 46th Raising Day celebrations of the Central Industrial Security Force here, Singh said the “biggest challenge” for the paramilitary is to ensure tight security at such installations and other places that it guards, like airports and aerospace and nuclear power facilities.

“You should develop core competence in securing important and strategic installations in the country. Terrorism is a big danger and challenge for the world and it targets not only people but also can hit iconic infrastructure of national and strategic importance. I know that you (CISF personnel) have the courage and determination to thwart such evil designs... But the biggest challenge is to provide foolproof security at these places. Any minor mistake will have big repercussions,” the Minister said.

The Minister said that his Government’s aim is to make India an “economic superpower” and, to achieve this goal, the “wheel of development” has to keep turning, which it cannot without a good security apparatus being provided by CISF as part of 

its duty.

“Since India is heading to be an economic superpower, CISF has to take the responsibility of becoming ‘Pragati Ke Sajag Prahari’ (sentinels of development),” he said. The Home Minister also asked the force, raised in 1969, to carry out a “special security audit” of all its units every four months where its personnel are deployed.