Union Ministers, former Chief Minister compete in Northeast in first phase of election
Among the contenders, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stands as a formidable force, vying for the Arunachal West seat.
Concerned over increasing terrorist threats and the possibility of their using remote airports, the government on Tuesday told the Lok Sabha that it was carrying out security audit of these airports.
Replying to queries during Question Hour, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said the Home Ministry was carrying out audit of such installations to ensure security of such airports.
Since 2000, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has taken over security of 59 airports. The Leh and Srinagar airports in Jammu and Kashmir are under the control of the CRPF.
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The Home Ministry and the Civil Aviation Ministry are in talks to see whether the CISF can get a common command structure over security of all the airports, he said.
On whether India needed a special transport safety service on the lines of the United States, Rijiju said while railway safety was taken care of by the RPF, the CISF is constantly evolving new training methods to protect airports and similar installations.
The CISF at present provides security cover to 329 installations like airports, industrial units, national monuments and government buildings.
While several members supported a suggestion that checking of valid tickets at airport gates should be carried out by airlines staff and not the CISF, the minister chose not to reply to it.
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