Recent Initiatives to empower the ITBP
On the occasion of Itbp's 59th raising day on 24th October, The prime minister of india said that ITBP valour and determination is such that they can successfully overcome the most daunting of challenges.
The ITBP was raised in the aftermath of the 1962 Chinese aggression and it has a strength of about 90,000 personnel with 60 battalions on the ground. Now , the Government of India recently decided to empower ITBP through several initiatives. In the wake of tension between Indian and Chinese troops, the Centre has given approval to the ITBP to set up 47 border outposts to increase vigil along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
A budget of Rs 7,223 crore has been allocated for the ITBP and more than Rs. 15 crores have been sanctioned for management.
ITBP has been given the approval by the Ministry of Home Affairs to establish 47 border posts, besides acquiring special clothing and equipment for high-altitude locations. The work is on to prepare priority border roads for the force.”
ITBP has got a weapons upgrade, V-SAT systems for better border communication, better vehicles, apart from bullet-resistant jackets and helmets for its personnel, as part of its modernisation. This year alone, he said, 28 types of new vehicles had been provided to the force.
About ITBP :
Indo-Tibetan Border Police was raised on October 24, 1962 for reorganizing the frontier intelligence and security set up along the Indo-Tibetan border. Only four Battalions were sanctioned to begin with. ITBP was initially raised under the CRPF Act. However, in 1992, parliament enacted the ITBPF Act and the rules there under were framed in 1994.
Tasks of ITBP :
- Vigil on the northern borders,detection and prevention of border violations, and promotion of the sense of security among the local populace.
- Check illegal immigration , trans-border smuggling and crimes.
- Security to sensitive installations, banks and protected persons.
- Restore and preserve order in any area in the event of disturbance.
- Presently ITBP has been guarding India-China border in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh states from the Karakoram pass in Jammu & Kashmir to Jechap La in Arunachal Pradesh. The altitude of ITBP BOPs ranges from 9,000 ft to 18,750 ft where temperature dips to (-) 45 degree Celsius.
