CISF pulls out of CGO complex

New Delhi: The prestigious Central Government Offices (CGO) complex, which has been high on terror radar, was today left without any security as CISF withdrew its team from guard duties following orders from Union Home Ministry.
While officially there was no word from the Home Ministry over CISF leaving the prestigious office complex without any security, sources privy to this development claimed that some of the officials in the ministry were trying to rope in a private security agency for such duties.
The move to allow private sector to guard the prestigious office complex, which houses several sensitive departments including Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and IAF’s air intelligence unit, has been opposed by various security agencies and ministries.
The Union Home Ministry had refused to provide additional equipment for the CISF personnel stating that there was no need for these personnel at the gates, the sources said. New and Renewable Energy ministry has shot off letters to the Home Ministry saying that such a move would only add to the threat perception for its minister, Farooq Abdullah.
Several paramilitary forces, which have their headquarters in the CGO complex, have also disapproved withdrawal of the CISF contingent which had been deployed since 2007. The CISF has been asked by the Union Home Ministry to withdraw its contingent of about 80 personnel from the complex from midnight of August 31. The personnel will soon dismantle the security infrastructure used at the four entry gates of the complex. Terrorists had managed to trigger an explosive material outside the CGO complex on May 2001 which was followed by recovery of arms a few months later. (PTI)