Full body scanners favoured for airports

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), that guards 57 airports across the country, wants full body scanners to be introduced for security screening.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), that guards 57 airports across the country, wants full body scanners to be introduced for security screening.

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"The CISF wants it. But it is the government which has to take a final decision," CISF Additional Director General MS Bali told IANS.

Bali said using full body scanners involves ethical issues. "People object that their private body parts are revealed. But if these are covered, people can hide explosives in their clothes."

CISF Director General NR Das said decision on installations of full body scanners will be taken by the civil aviation ministry.

"If the decision in this regard is taken, training to use these scanners will be undertaken for our screeners by CISF and the deadline of operation will be met," he added.

At present the force has 3,000 trained personnel for scanning.

Das said Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) had imported one machine more than a year ago and trials were conducted for some time. He said full body scanners are installed at 19 airports in the US.

Currently security checks at airports include pat-down searches, doorframe metal detectors and hand-held device scans.