More CISF men in plainclothes at Metro stations

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), keeping in view the rise in the number of crimes in and outside Metro stations, plans to deploy more officers in plainclothes to help commuters.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), keeping in view the rise in the number of crimes in and outside Metro stations, plans to deploy more officers in plainclothes to help commuters.

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According to CISF officers, plainclothes personnel will be able to profile suspects in a much better way than those in uniform, as criminals become extra cautious when they see uniformed securitymen.

"Currently, around 100 staff, including 25 women, are deployed in plainclothes in the Metro system. They keep an eye on commuters at entry gates and inside stations and profile the suspicious ones," said Udayan Banerjee, DIG, CISF.

“Keeping in view the rise in crimes,we plan to increase the number of our staff in plainclothes, which will include many women officers,” he said.

There has been an increase in incidents such as murders, pickpocketing, carrying arms and ammunition, harassment of women and even trafficking in the last few months.

A few months ago, some women CISF officers had rescued a 14-year old girl at the Kashmere Gate Metro station. “The girl, who hails from the northeast, was found loitering at the entry gate. We profiled her and during questioning, we found out that she fell prey to a trafficking gang. We caught hold of them and handed them over to Delhi police,” said Sanjitha, a sub-inspector of CISF.

Currently, around 5,000 CISF personnel are in charge of security at all 139 Metro stations.

The force has moved a proposal to the home ministry for the recruitment of 3,000 additional personnel to strengthen security arrangements at the stations.

“Once sanctioned by MHA, we will increase the number of jawans in plainclothes, create more quick response teams and improve CCTV monitoring arrangements,” Banerjee said.