Greater Noida: Hailing Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel’s role in fighting insurgency in Punjab and in Red Corridor areas, Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy on Thursday said that the government is committed to enhance the task of ITBP in future.
Speaking at the 58th raising day of ITBP here, Mr Reddy said, “The capabilities of the force are being enhanced through initiatives such as imparting the training of Mandarin to 200 officers and jawans and the construction of ITBP priority roads at a rapid pace.”
Listing out the initiatives taken by the government, Mr Reddy said that 45 new roads had been sanctioned as ITBP priority roads at the cost of 20,000 crore rupees.
He also noted the establishment of 23 new Border Outposts (BOPs) of ITBP since 2014.
Earlier, he presided over the 58th Raising Day of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and took the salute of the Raising Day Parade.
The Parade comprised of all Frontier Contingents of the Force including women, Commando, Skiing, mountaineering and paratroopers’ contingents besides the dog squad & mounted columns.
The parade showcased different aspects of the Force, including recently inducted machines and equipment, snow scooters, all-terrain vehicles, different high-end SUVs, Pol Net and various communications and surveillance equipment.
Mr Reddy also noted the diverse roles of ITBP in the current internal security context.
He said that the force’s contribution includes a wide range of tasks, from securing Indian embassies and consulates in foreign nations to providing security for Amarnath and Mansarovar Yatras, as well as operations in left-wing extremism areas and relief and rescue during disasters.
The minister further hailed the raising of ITBP’s first all-women mountaineering team and said that this was a major step forward for women’s empowerment.
He praised the force’s initiatives to win the hearts and minds of locals and their contribution towards development works being undertaken in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas.
The minister also said that ITBP having trained as a Guerilla war force and due to their great professionalism has also been deployed for providing safety and security of Indian embassies abroad.
ITBP has also raised two NDRF Battalions for rescue work in Himalayan range.
During the investiture ceremony, the minister presented the six Gallantry, six Police Medal of Distinguished Service and 23 Police Medals for Meritorious Service.
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) was raised on October 24, 1962 in the wake of Chinese aggression on Indo-China border.
Every year, this day is celebrated as the raising/ foundation day of the force to commemorate the valor and achievements of the ITBP and to boost the morale of the force personnel.
The ITBP was initially raised for reorganizing the frontier intelligence, preventing illegal intrusion & smuggling and security set up along the Indo-Tibetan border as a guerilla force.
Consequent upon the expansion of the Force, the ITBP was also entrusted with the additional tasks from time to time in addition to border security duty, counter insurgency duty and internal security duties.
