New Delhi: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) “took over” the security arrangements at the Ayodhya International Airport Tuesday after being roped in by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), ThePrint has learnt.
Nearly 150 CISF personnel were deployed at the airport as part of an “emergency” security measure.
The Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 30 December. Lakhs of devotees and visitors are expected to arrive at the town for the Ram temple’s consecration ceremony on 22 January.
A senior CISF officer told ThePrint that the force received an order nearly 15 days back and started conducting the survey process of the airport complex as part of the usual protocol.
The officer highlighted that the batch of 150 personnel will develop into a “full-fledged” unit guarding the Ayodhya airport in the same manner as 67 airports under its security umbrella.
The CISF personnel will carry out similar duties such as frisking passengers, clearing baggage from security checks and increasing the overall security apparatus of the airport complex, the officer emphasized.
“The process of complete takeover is on. For now, it’s 150 personnel but it will be increased to nearly 250 personnel soon and the Ayodhya airport will be the 68th airport under our jurisdiction,” another senior CISF official told ThePrint.
(Edited by Tony Rai)