The new BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is becoming a boon for Gujarat, as one after another long-pending demands with the Central Government are getting cleared. The latest is the regional hub of the National Security Guard (NSG).
Sources said that the elite counter terrorism and special operation unit of India — NSG is all set to get a regional hub in Ahmedabad. In fact, a team headed by the joint secretary to the Union Home Ministry and senior NSG officials are visiting Gujarat during the first week of August to zero in on the location of the proposed regional hub of NSG.
Sources in the State Home department said that bordering State like Gujarat should have such unit in the proximity of the State capital. Especially after the serial bomb blast in Ahmedabad on July 26, 2008 followed by the deadly terror attack in Mumbai in November 2008, the Gujarat Government had demanded for a regional NSG hub to counter anti-national elements more efficiently, said a senior official. However, for some or other reasons, it delayed for almost six years.
Just a few months back, before the new Government came into power, again the State Home department sent a letter to set a regional hub of NSG. In view of the visit of the Union Home Ministry team, the State Government has already identified three plots of land near Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
The NSG was set up in 1984 as Federal Contingency Deployment Force (FCDF) to tackle all facets of terrorism in the country and has acquired considerable experience from the intense insurgency operations it has faced — from the present conflict Kashmir to the cradle of its birth, Punjab.
Adopting a variety of roles from counter-terrorism to hostage rescue to VIP protection, the NSG wears the mantle of being one of the finest counter-terrorist units in all of South Asia. It’s roles include conducting anti-sabotage checks, rescuing hostages, neutralising terrorist threats to vital installations, engaging terrorists, responding to hijacking and piracy and protecting VIPs.
It is worth mentioning, within 20 days of Narendra Modi Government’s swearing-in eight-year-old pending issue of increasing the height of Narmada Dam got clearance from Narmada Control Authority. Besides, Airport Authority of India gave clearance for the use of a cold storage for perishable goods developed by Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation (GAIC) at Ahmedabad Airport, which was ready for almost three years.
