CISF takes over riot victims’ security

A Team of 100-strong Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) jawans from New Delhi has arrived in the state and has been deployed for protection of riot witnesses. The team was sent following recommendations of senior officials of central security agencies, who visited the state in April.

The CISF personnel have been divided into five teams of 20 each and deployed in Dahod, Himmatnagar, Vadodara, Godhra and Ahmedabad. They will patrol areas where riot witnessess are residing and provide protection when they move in the neighbourhood. DGP A.K. Bhargav said: ‘‘The platoons have been deployed at sensitive areas where witnessess are residing. Each platoon has been provided two vehicles — one for the commander and other for the jawans. Some jawans will be stationed in each locality while others will patrol continuously. Jawans will be in touch with the local sub-inspector on the wireless as well as with the nearest police station.’’

In Himmatnagar, one platoon will be deployed at Satnagar where witnessess from Sardarpura are residing. The Ahmedabad platoon will cater to Naroda-Patiya and Bapunagar areas.

The deployment comes after a three-member team of senior CISF, CRPF and IB officials visited the state. This followed a Supreme Court directive on an application filed by social activist Teesta Setalvad. The team, comprising IG (CRPF) Vikram Shrivastava, IG (IB) Yashowardhan Azad and IG (CISF) K. Shekhawat, assessed the vulnerability of witnessess. The team met witnessess at Sardarpura, Visnagar, Vijapur and Naroda-Patiya areas and spoke to residents of Vadodara and Godhra. Several witnessess complained of threats and intimidation and lax security.