ITBP chief to appear before parliamentary panel today

New Delhi: SS Deswal, the chief of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which guards the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, will appear before a parliamentary panel headed by Congress’ Anand Sharma, on Thursday. He is likely to brief MPs on “the functioning, training and infrastructure” of the central force, states the note circulated among the members of the panel.

Government officials told ET that ITBP may provide details on the current standoff between the Indian and Chinese armies. The two sides are likely to hold their eighth round of commander-level talks on Friday, which will be attended by senior officials from the ITBP. The central force, along with the Indian Army, maintains vigil along 3,488 km of the India-China border.

Deswal may discuss details regarding setting up and appointment of two additional commands in Guwahati in the eastern sector and Chandigarh in the western sector headed by an additional director general-level officer. “Apart from training and infrastructure, the members of the panel would like to know the facilities being provided to jawans while working in extreme weather conditions,” said a committee member.