Maharashtra to have separate security force like CISF

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Government would soon have a special state security force on the lines of the CISF following a demand from various organisations after the Mumbai terror attacks.

A Bill in this regard has been passed at the State Legislature recently with opposition members objecting to many provisions in it.

The bill was drafted after the Centre's suggestion to the State Government to consider raising the state's own industrial security force to share the burden of CISF and ensure proper security arrangements for private and public sector industries, Minister of State for Home Ramesh Bagwe said.

The Centre has amended CISF Act 1968, so as to make available security services to private and joint venture industrial undertakings.

The approval to the bill would enable the State Government to have its own force, as the police force is not sufficient to meet the needs.

"There is a huge demand for security by private installations like malls, multiplexes, power stations and religious places. However, police force cannot fulfil the need and hence the special force would do the job," an official from the Home Department said.