An exclusive specially trained paramilitary unit armed with the latest gadgets and weaponry has now been deployed for security of Parliament house complex.
The team, drawn from the best trained men and women of the Central Reserve Police Force, has been named the Parliament Duty Group. The creation of the PDG was mooted in the aftermath of the 2001 Parliament terror attack. The Parliament House till now was guarded by troops drawn from various units of the CRPF and Delhi Police. The new squad, 1,540 personnel-strong, will comprise those who have not only successfully completed commando and tactics training, but are also adept in dealing with nuclear and bio-chemical emergencies.
The Union Home Ministry had approved the creation of the special unit in April last year to guard the complex which comprises the main Parliament House, reception office building, Sansadiya Gyanpeeth (Parliament library building) and Parliament House Annexe. The commando-trained CRPF personnel have been armed with the latest gadgets and weaponry and they will soon be given special emblems to don them on their uniforms. The unit will function under the operational command of the Additional Secretary (Security) of Parliament House with the overall in-charge being the Director General of CRPF. The PDG will also coordinate with personnel of the parliamentary security unit, Delhi Police and regular CRPF, guarding the periphery and approach routes to Parliament House.
The PDG will coordinate with personnel of parliamentary security unit, Delhi Police and regular paramilitary contingents, guarding the periphery and approach routes to Parliament House located in the heart of national capital. The Union home ministry, in its instructions in April, 2012, had directed the CRPF to keep the age profile of the PDG young.
