Interview with Additional DG ITBP : Shree Dilip Trivedi (IPS)

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP): Nation’s Pride

Shri Dilip Trivedi, has infused new vitality in the IT.BP through his dynamism and farsightedness, under his dynamic leadership, The ITBP has made rapid strides in diverse fields. An IPS officer of UP cadre took over as Addl. Director General, Indo Tibetan Border Police Force on 21st December 2010. He was Addl. Director General of Police, UP Police Hqr, Allahabad prior to taking over his new assignment as Addl. DG ITBP. Shri Dilip Trivedi has rich and varied experience of police work.

After doing his Master’s Degree from Allahabad University, he joined Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1978. He held many important and sensitive posts in various capacities there in Uttar Pradesh. He served in Nainital, Lucknow, Allahabad, Gorakhpur, Garhwal, Bijnore. He served as DIG Moradabad sector PAC, Moradabad range, Crime Branch CID, DIG Karmic and Kanpur range. He was Inspector General of Police in UP Police HQ, Gorakhpur Zone and BSF. He is an alumnus of National Defence College.

For his remarkable and outstanding services in the field of policing, he has been awarded Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 1997 and PPM for Distinguished Service in 2003. He has been awarded Kathin Seva Medal, Bar to Kathin Seva Medal, Antrik Suraksha Medal, Ops Parakaram Medal, Ops Rakshak Medal, Nine commendations from DIB for different assignments, 3 Commendation Cards from DG BSF. ITBP family welcomes its new ADG.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is a leading paramilitary force of India, which was conceived on October 24, 1962 for maintaining security along the India’s border with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, border encompassing 2115 kilometers. Initially, only four battalions were sanctioned for the ITBP to fill up the security vacuum that was prevalent at that time along the Indo – Tibet border. Later in view of the additional responsibilities and the task redefined in 1976, the Force was restructured in 1978.

SHAURYA – DRIDATA – KARM NISHTHA

VALOR – STEADFASTNESS AND COMMITMENT

ITBP is a multi-dimensional force which primarily has 4 functions:

1. Vigil on the northern borders, detection and prevention of border violations, and promotion of the sense of security among the local populace.
2. Check illegal immigration and trans-border smuggling.
3. Provide security to sensitive installations and threatened VIP’s.
4. Restore and preserve order in any area in the event of disturbance.

Presently, Battalions of ITBP are deployed on Border Guarding Duties from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Diphu La in Arunachal Pradesh, covering 3488 km of the India-China Border. Manned border posts are at altitudes as high as 21000’ in the Western, Middle & Eastern Sector of the border. ITBP is a mountain trained force and most of the officers & men are professionally trained mountaineers and skiers. The force is under an expansion plan in order to provide relief to its troops from constant deployment in high altitude areas.

The ITBP is trained in Civil Medical Camp, disaster management, and nuclear, biological and chemical disasters. The ITBP personnel have been deployed abroad in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Haiti, Sudan and elsewhere.

Dr Arvind Kumar, Editor, Focus Global Reporter, interviewed Shri Dilip Trivedi, Additional Director-General, ITBP. Following are excerpts of this interview:

FGR: What is the Role of ITBP in ensuring peace and internal security within the country?

Sh. Trivedi: Indo-Tibetan Border police was conceived on October 24, 1962 in the wake of Chinese aggression for reorganizing the frontier intelligence and security set up along the Indo-Tibetan Border covering 2115 Kms. from Karakorum pass to lipulekh pass. In the year 2004, entire stretch of India China Border comprising 3488 km is assigned to ITBP for border Guarding duty. Although the main role of ITBP is border guarding, the force is also playing a major role in maintaining peace and internal security not only with in the country inthe form of anti Naxal and counter insurgency operations, providing troops for maintaining law & order , providing security to some important national leaders.

FGR: Over the years the role of ITBP is not merely confined to look after India-Tibet border. What new roles are being played the ITBP in the changed scenario?

Sh. Trivedi: Over the years , the role of ITBP has expanded considerably and the force, at present is on a multifaceted role from border guarding, Cl (Ops), Internal Security, Anti Naxal operations, VIP Security, Security of Vital Installations, Law & Order duties and foreign missions. ITBP is deployed for Anti Naxal Operations in Chhattisgarh and Cl Operations in Chamba (HP) – Doda (J&K) for combating LWE and insurgency. ITBP has been assigned duties to provide security cover to Rashtrapati Bhavan, Vice President’s House, Parliament House & Tihar Jail Complex in Delhi, ARC/NTRO premises, and also for some other important installations in various parts of the country. Besides ITBP is providing security cover to 11 VIPs including union ministers. ITBP is also deployed in Afghanistan for security of Indian Interests/assets there and providing effective security cover to Embassy of India in Kabul and four Indian Consulates located in other Afghan cities. ITBP troops are also being deployed extensively to ensure peaceful fair and peaceful conduct of elections and for maintaining Law & orders.

FGR: What have been the achievements of ITBP over the years?

Sh. Trivedi: ITBP is widely regarded as one of the elite forces and apart from ensuring affective surveillances and security of Indo- China Border, the major achievements of ITBP As under:-

1. ITBP troops participated in Indo-Pak War in 1965 & 1971
2. Played a major role in security cover during 1982 Asiad, CHOGM held in the year-1983 and Common Wealth games held in the year 2010 in Delhi.
3. Remained deployed during peak of terrorism in Punjab in 1980s.
4. Played an important role in containing militancy in J&K
5. Provided effective security to HCL Colombo during the days of LTTE threat.
6. Provided effective security to BPO for construction of Delaram – Zaranj road in Afghanistan
7. Providing security cover to EOI Kabul and all 4 Indian Consulates in Afghanistan and providing one formed police unit to UN Mission, in D. R. Congo.
8. Guarding high profile prisoners in Arthur Road jail, Mumbai and Tihar Jail Delhi.
9. Effective Anti Naxal Operations in Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh.
10. Providing effective security cover to important and vital installations/buildings such as Rashtrapati bhavan, Vice President House, Parliament House, Secretariats in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, Rumtak Monastery, NTRO/ARC installation in various parts of the country.
11. The force has earned number of decorations like Padmashree, Shaurya Chakra, Sena Medal, and President’s police Medal for Gallantry, President’s Police and fire Service Medalsfor Gallanrty, Prime Minister’slife Saving Medal, Parakram Medal etc. for its numerous achievements in the past.
12. ITBP contingent has been declared as the best Marching Contingent during the Republic Day Parade – 2011. This is the four times ITBP is securing this honour.
13. ITBP has climbed Mt. Everest three times.
14. Force is generally deployed in high sensitive duties by the government.

FGR: Is ITBP called upon to play role in rescue operations in natural disasters like earth quake, flood and Tsunami etc.?

Sh Trivedi: ITBP is the first responder of Disasters in Himalayan region and was the first to establish Regional Response Centres in HP, Uttaranchal, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh States. ITBP has carried out numerous rescue and relief operations in all disaster situations, which took place in the areas of responsibility as well as other parts of the country. ITBP has established a National Centre for Training in search, Rescue & Disaster response at Bhanu, Haryana which is imparting training to personnel of ITBP and other paramilitary / State Police Forces. During last Tsunami ITBP team was sent to Andaman for rescue. Our two Bns are on Disaster Management duty as part of NDRF.

FGR: What measures are being undertaken by the ITBP to win the confidence and good will of the local populace, say on the lines of Operation Sadbhavana being undertaken by the Armed Forces in J&K and other border areas?

Sh. Trivedi: ITBP has always given great importance to the needs and aspirations of local populace and adopted various measures for the upliftment of poor and downtrodden people. The Border area Development programme (BADP) and Civic Action Programme (CAP) implemented by ITBP are part of our comprehensive approach to the cause of Socio – economic development of the people in the areas of development. Under CAP, various welfare/developmental activities like medical camps, veterinary camps, excursion tours for students, sanitation drives, distribution of study material to children, minor civil repair works of roads, public buildings & bridges and adult education drive etc. are being carried out for the benefit of local population. BADP is a centrally funded programme aimed to meet special developmental needs of the people living in remote and in accessible border areas. Construction and maintenance of roads, water supply, education assistances, and filling gaps in infra structure, child care, care and education of physically challenged and backward sections etc. are being undertaken in this programme. Apart from above, ITBP is conducting tours of students from remote locations of border areas to acquaint them with the various parts of modern India.

FGR: What are new challenges do you foresee for the ITBP in near future?

Sh. Trivedi: ITBP envisages a greater role to play in the changing national and international security scenario. Besides enhancing effective surveillances measures, the force is well poised to take more active role in maintaining internal security as well as International peace keeping. The force has well planned recruitment system and multi dimensional training programmes, to face any future challenges, which is of border related or otherwise. Our perspective planning includes modernization of weapons, surveillance and communications equipments. Our greatest challenge is to remain one step above of our adversaries in all fields.