NEW DELHI: A special commando-trained squad of paramilitary troops has taken over security duties at the Parliament House complex, days before the first Budget Session of the new government commences.
The commandos and security personnel of this squad called the Parliament Duty Group (PDG) is drawn from country’s largest paramilitary force– the Central Reserve Police Force and it was first mooted to be raised in the aftermath of the 2001 Parliament terror attack.
“The squad has fully taken over the security duties at Parliament complex. The troops have been deployed here for sometime and they have been briefed about their task. They will secure the complex round-the-clock,” a senior security officer said.
The first Budget session of Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government will begin from July 7.
The squad, which will be in-charge of overall security of the complex which comprises the main Parliament House, reception office building, Sansadiya Gyanpeeth (Parliament library building) and Parliament House Annexe will coordinate the task of securing VVIPs, Parliamentarians and other visitors along with Delhi Police, Parliament Security staff and NSG commandos.
The over 1,500 personnel-strong PDG will comprise of those personnel and officers of the CRPF who have undertaken not only commando and tactics training but also of tackling natural emergencies.
The unit will function under the operational command of the Additional Secretary (Security) of Parliament House with the overall in-charge being the Director General of CRPF.
The PDG personnel, the officer said, have been armed with latest gadgets and weaponry and they have been given special emblems to don them on their uniforms.
The creation of PDG dates back to few years when the CRPF headquarters had suggested creation of an exclusive security group for Parliament House soon after the terror attack in 2001.
On December 13, 2001, five heavily-armed gunmen stormed the Parliament complex and opened indiscriminate fire, killing five Delhi Police personnel, a woman CRPF official, two Parliament watch and ward staff and a gardener.
A journalist, who was injured, died later. All five terrorists were shot dead by security forces.
Till now, a mix of CRPF personnel drawn from various Delhi-based battalions of the force and Delhi Police personnel used to guard the Parliament House.
The PDG will have separate units of security personnel, communications experts, quick reaction teams (QRTs) and medical staff.–PTI
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