Various Security Forces, Agencies and their Mandate (NSG and RPF)

Overview 

• NSG is India’s principal counter-terrorism force, reporting to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
• NSG is tasked with combating terrorism in all its manifestations
• NSG  are also known as the ‘Black Cats’
• The decision to establish a federal anti-terrorist contingency force was made in 1984, during the height of Punjabi militancy. This choice was driven by the need for a highly motivated, adequately trained party equipped to combat different forms of terrorism. This is the setting in which this organisation was founded in 1986
• The national security guard is separated into two categories:

• Special Action Group (SAG): offensive wing in charge of direct operation implementation. It draws its recruits from the Indian Army
• Special Rangers Group (SRG): assists SAG, particularly isolating target locations. It recruits from the nation’s paramilitary forces and police forces

• The NSG’s area of domain is characterised by a relentless pursuit of perfection, zero mistakes, leading from the front, and  speed, stealth, and precision

Organisational Structure of National Security Guard (NSG)?

As a Federal Contingency Force, the NSG’s basic philosophy was to create a dedicated, responsible, and agile task force that could strike quickly on all aspects of terrorism in any part of the country.

The National Security Group (NSG) is a task-oriented force made up of two complementary elements: Special Ranger Groups (SRG) and Special Action Groups (SAG).

Personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces and State Police Forces make up the Special Ranger Groups (SRG), while Army personnel make up the Special Action Group (SAG).

The National Security Guard (NSG) is on standby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to meet any challenge that threatens the nation’s security.

Mandate of NSG: 

• The primary mission of the NSG is to “manage counter-terrorism, anti-kidnapping, anti-hijacking, anti-sabotage, and hostage rescue operations”
• The NSG’s mandate was extended to include VVIPs and anti-sabotage inspections during VVIP public gatherings
• Threats to essential and sensitive sites, particularly India’s nuclear plants, must be mitigated
• Bomb disposal, establishment, and operation of bomb data centers, and training of local, state, and federal law enforcement officers (Example: training of Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police by NSG). The NSG’s successful and well-known missions include Operation Black Thunder (to flush out remaining terrorists from the Golden Temple complex), Operation Black Tornado (anti-terrorist operations during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks), and neutralizing the Pathankot terrorists
• It has also established an information center/research and documentation wing to collect data on various terrorist organisations, their strategies, weapons, and tactics
• The NSG also provides anti-terrorist and bomb detection and disposal training to personnel from various state police and paramilitary organisations
• It maintains constant contact with various anti-terrorist training institutions across the country

Railway Protection Force (RPF)

Overview: 

• The Railway Protection Force came into existence after the enactment of the The Railway Protection Force Act, 1957 by the Indian Parliament for “better protection and security of railway property and passenger area”
• The RPF has the authority to search, arrest, investigate, and prosecute violations of the Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act of 1966 and the Railways Act of 1989. (amended from time to time)
• The Indian Ministry of Railways is in charge of the Railway Protection Force

Role of RPF 

• Protégé and protect the railroads’, railway passengers’, and passenger area’s property
• Assuring the safety and security of trains to promote passenger trust by eliminating any anti-social elements from trains
• To eliminate impediments to the passage of railway property or passengers
• Ensure that security-related operations are coordinated among the many authorities involved
• Maintain vigilance to avoid women’s and children’s trafficking

Railways have changed the name of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to the Indian Railway Protection Force (IRPF).

Power of RPF

The force is given the following powers to help them carry out their duties efficiently:

The authority to investigate, prosecute, and arrest people who break the Railways Act of 1890.

Power to remove impediments to rail transportation or passengers, such as illegal constructions and encroachments.

While performing their duties, they have the discretionary power to use non-lethal and lethal force depending on the situation.

Units of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) include the Central Crime Bureau, the Central Weapons Store, and the Indian Railway Protection Force Service.

Conclusion

In light of the growing terrorist violence in various forms, a force like the NSG and RPF is essential. With a long-term comprehensive anti-terrorism and civilian protection policy, the reliance over NSG and RPF is likely to grow in the future.