CISF favours installation of body scanners at Indian airports

[Hindustani78]

CISF favours installation of body scanners at Indian airports

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...an-airports/story-j0QOtml9lJyjuadu0EJyIL.html

The paramilitary force had in October conducted trials of one such device at the Indira Gandhi International airport in Delhi.

Updated: Jan 01, 2018 22:07 IST
Press Trust of India, New Delhi

The system is used in many countries and entails frisking of an individual with the help of x-rays and similar technology.(AFP)

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...an-airports/story-j0QOtml9lJyjuadu0EJyIL.html

• The CISF has favoured installation of body scanners at all airports -- both domestic as well as foreign -- to ensure enhanced security to lakhs of air travellers.
  
  The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), that guards 59 such civil facilities at present, is also aiming to introduce the tagless hand baggage regime of travel for the passengers to all the airports from the present 27.
  
  “CISF is of the view that installation of body scanners will definitely improve the efficiency of screeners as it identifies the spot which needs be physically checked,” CISF spokesperson Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Hemendra Singh said.
  
  The paramilitary force had in October conducted trials of one such device at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport here.
  
  The system is used in many countries and entails frisking of an individual with the help of x-rays and similar technology.
  
  The officer said the airport security force is also “planning to implement the tagless system of hand baggage at all the airports with the help of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and airport operators.”
  
  According to latest CISF data for the year gone by, its officials detected a total of 96 cases where passengers, both Indians and foreigners, were apprehended by it for using fake/edited tickets to enter into airport terminals across the country.
  
  A maximum of these incidents (43) took place at the IGI airport this year, it said.
  
  It also detected 232 cases of arms and ammunition being carried by passengers up-till the terminal area. 29 such cases were detected at the IGI, the data said.
  
  It added that a total of 126 touts were also apprehended by it this year at these 59 airports.
  
  The force also handled lost or unattended gadgets, cash and other passenger belongings worth Rs 44.66 crore at these airports in 2017 which was later restored to them or handed over to the airport authorities.
  
  The spokesperson said the CISF has adopted a system of prompt grievance redressal of passengers.
  
  “As and when CISF receives any complaint regarding loss of property/article, either through e-mail or hard copy, all out efforts are made to provide necessary assistance or information to the passengers.
  
  “The complaints are enquired thoroughly with the help of CCTV recordings, statement of the personnel or staff on ground and outcome of the same is informed to the complainant,” he said.
  
  He said the force has also established ‘help desk counters’ at all the 59 airports under its cover to facilitate senior citizens, needy passengers and women.
  
  “CISF personnel at help desk counters are helping passengers in their security related problems. These counters are also helping women travellers in making a safe exit from the airport in taxis or otherwise,” Singh said.
  

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/na...rports-need-better-training-panel/524316.html
Posted at: Jan 6, 2018, 1:42 AM; last updated: Jan 6, 2018, 1:42 AM (IST)
CISF men guarding airports need better training: Panel

Taking cognisance of reported instances of misbehavior by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel deployed on security duties at airports, a parliamentary panel has asked the government to ensure better training for the force.

The recent incidents of misbehavior definitely show the CISF in poor light and prove that the training programmes are insufficient and more needs to be done, the Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture has stated in its report tabled on January 4. “The government should re-evaluate soft skill training programmes of CISF and security personnel and motivate them to be passenger friendly,” the committee has suggested.

The CISF is one of the Central Armed Police Forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs and its mandate is to provide security cover to industrial units, government infrastructure projects and facilities, public sector undertakings and other sensitive high-value civilian establishments, including atomic power plants, space installations, mints, oil refineries and major ports.

At present, it is responsible for security at 59 airports in India. Besides perimeter security, controlling human and vehicular access to airport premises, frisking passengers and scanning baggage, the CISF also maintains mobile quick reaction teams and bomb disposal squads to deal with any contingency.

Observing that improper behaviour continued even after guidelines were issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security to facilitate proper and courteous screening of passengers, the committee said the government needed to be proactive to face emerging challenges of the growth in civil aviation sector.

While CISF personnel are required to carry out security checks efficiently while keeping the dignity and privacy of passengers in mind such as touch-free frisking with hand gloves and private screening areas, specific instructions have also been issued to them for ensuring that due courtesy is extended to judges of the High Court and members of Parliament. A proposal is also being processed to introduce full-body scanners at airports, which will further improve security checks while reducing human interface.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/patiala-trader-arrested-with-1-kg-smuggled-gold/527949.html
Tribune News Service

Mohali, January 12

In yet another case of gold seizure at the Chandigarh international airport, customs officials on Friday recovered 1,059 gm of gold, worth Rs 30 lakh, from a passenger.

Customs officials said the passenger had concealed two gold biscuits (weighing 117 gm and 110 gm) in his clothes and was wearing a gold chain (weighing 700 gm) and a gold-plated bangle/kada (132 gm).

This is the second incident of a gold smuggling bid foiled by customs officials this year. Earlier, a passenger was arrested for trying to smuggle 468-gm gold from Dubai on January 2.

In the latest case, the passenger, a 33-year-old Patiala-based businessman, arrived from Dubai and was nabbed during checking of luggage, sources said. “His body language aroused suspicion. During checking, it was found that he had concealed the gold bangle underneath his shirt, wearing it at elbow joint,” said an airport official.

Sources said the passenger did not co-operate with the authorities during interrogation. Customs officials said the gold has been seized and the accused arrested.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ce-to-curb-drug-smuggling/article22430727.ece
KOCHI, January 12, 2018 18:48 IST
Updated: January 12, 2018 23:18 IST
Move follows spurt in movement of narcotics to Kerala

A joint task force of Central and State government agencies will be formedto crack down on the smuggling of new-generation narcotic drugs to Kerala.

The decision was taken at a meeting convened by Excise Commissioner Rishi Raj Singh of various law-enforcing agencies of the Central and State governments here on Friday in view of the recent spurt in the movement of narcotic drugs to the State.

Two instances were reported in the recent past in which attempts were made to smuggle in drugs worth around ₹30 crore to Kerala from the international market.

Mr. Singh said the agencies expressed the doubt that Kerala might be a transit point in drug smuggling since all the drugs smuggled to the State need not be for consumption here but might be transported to places such as Goa. He cited the instance in which a consignment brought from Brazil through an airport in the State three months ago was originally meant for Goa. But, of course, drugs are a problem in Kerala and may find a market here, Mr. Singh said.

Apart from Excise personnel, officers from the Police, Railway Protection Force, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Intelligence Bureau, Coast Guard, Coastal Police, Narcotics Control Bureau and Central Industrial Security Force attended the meeting held at Ernakulam Guest House. It was also decided that joint meeting of agencies will be convened every three months.

Mr. Singh said he would write to the heads of the agencies concerned for the allocation of personnel to the joint task force where after a common WhatsApp group would be formed for simultaneous sharing of information.

The meeting discussed the kinds of drug smuggling operations in vogue, the people involved in dealing drugs, the potential customers in Kerala, and whether other than airports, rail, road and water routes were also used for smuggling drugs.