Day 59 – Q 3. What do you understand by paramilitary forces? What role do they play in India’s internal security? Examine.
3. What do you understand by paramilitary forces? What role do they play in India’s internal security? Examine.
अर्धसैनिक बलों द्वारा आप क्या समझते हैं? भारत की आंतरिक सुरक्षा में उनकी क्या भूमिका है? जांच करें।
Introduction
Paramilitary forces are key players in internal security and integrity of a country. In India’s seven paramilitary forces are collectively called as Central Armed Police Forces. These are:
- Assam Rifles (AR)
- Border Security Force (BSF)
- Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
- Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
- Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
- National Security Guard (NSG)
- Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)
Body
What is Paramilitary Force?
A paramilitary is a semi-militarized force whose organizational structure, tactics, training, subculture, and (often) function are similar to those of a professional military, but which is formally not part of a government’s armed forces.
Role Played by Paramilitary Forces:
Assam Rifles remains deployed in some of the most remote and under developed areas and provides security to locals. The humane, just and ever helpful approach of the men of Assam Rifles has truly managed to win hearts and minds earning the Assam Rifles the sobriquet of ‘Friends of the North East’.
The Border Security Force (BSF) is a Border Guarding Force of India. They are rightly declared as “First Wall of Defence” for India.
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is mandated to provide security to major critical infrastructure installations of the country in diverse areas. CISF is currently providing security cover to nuclear installations, space establishments, airports, seaports, power plants, sensitive Government buildings and ever heritage monuments. Among the important responsibilities recently entrusted to the CISF are the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, VIP Security, Disaster Management and establishment of a Formed Police Unit (FPU) of the UN at Haiti.
To enable the government to maintain Rule of Law, Public Order and Internal Security effectively and efficiently, to Preserve National Integrity and Promote Social Harmony and Development by upholding supremacy of the Constitution, are part of the mission of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). They are deployed almost all over India with wide mandate of internal security.
The CRPF had to be inducted in strength not only to maintain law and order but also to keep lines of communication free from disruption. The commitments of the Force continue to be very high in the North-East in dealing with the insurgency.
Indo-Tibetan Border Police was raised for reorganizing the frontier intelligence and security set up along the Indo-Tibetan border. They are also entrusted with tasks of border guarding, counter insurgency and internal security roles.
National Security Guard (NSG) is a Federal, Contingency, World Class, Zero Error Force to deal with anti-terrorist activities in all its manifestations. The NSG is a force specially equipped and trained to deal with specific situations and is therefore, to be used only in exceptional circumstances to thwart serious acts of terrorism.
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is mandated with significant role of guarding and intelligence across borders , especially India-Nepal and India-Bhutan. Their roles also include;
- Safeguard the security of assigned borders of India and promote sense of security among the people living in border areas.
- Prevent trans-border crimes, smuggling and any other illegal activities.
- Prevent unauthorized entry into or exit from the territory of India.
- Carry out civic action programme in the area of responsibility.
- Perform any other duty assigned by the Central Government.(SSB is being deployed for Law & Order, Counter Insurgency Operations and Election duty)
Disaster Management:
Most of these (but not all) paramilitary forces also play their role in disaster management, not only inside the country but also along the borders during disasters in neighbouring countries such as Nepal earthquake of 2015.
UN peace keeping force:
CRPF, CISF, ITBP and such other forces are sent overseas as part of UN peace keeing missions across the globe.
Conclusion
After observing above specific and common functions of India’s paramilitary forces, it can be said that, paramilitary forces play their role in almost all the critical matters of internal security, from riots and insurgency to terrorism and smuggling. They are also an important part of defence intelligence required for internal security and integrity of India.
Best Answer: Gurpreet Singh
Gargi Gupta
