Equip small section of cops with NSG-like training: Arup Raha

KOLKATA: To effectively counter terror attacks initially, a section of the local police in very state should be equipped with NSG-like training, according to former Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha (retd).

"I am sure that each and every state must have a small component of its own police force trained on the lines of the National Security Guard (NSG) who are the first respondent in any contingencies," Raha said this evening while speaking at a programme of the NSG here in the city.

Raha said that the idea was mooted by Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar during a recent meeting at the Force's headquarter at Lalbazar where he was also invited.

"Recently, during a meeting at Lalabazar, Kolkata Police Commissioner had mooted the idea of having some element of the police force in each state being trained on the lines of the NSG. I think there is need for us to carry this idea forward and work on it," he said.

"Because the local police will be better informed, with better intelligence about the local conditions than a specialised force who are from outside. They (NSG) have hubs in Kolkata, New Delhi, Hyderbad, or Bangalore or other places... so they are trained centrally but the local conditions varies from place to place. So, the knowledge of local condition is extremely important in tackling terrorism," Raha said.

He also said that state police force should also have a few helicopters so that they could react swiftly.

"I think police force in each state must have a few helicopters. One or two if not more, so that they can react quickly in case of need," he said.