The 1000-strong squad, to be based in Kolkata, will be given commando training and taught the usage of sophisticated weaponry. They will deal with terrorist attacks, handle hostage situations and protect the state’s vital installations.

The decision came following a high-level meeting held in the Writer’s Buildings in the aftermath of the November 26 terror attack in Mumbai. A formal cabinet nod is expected soon. “The government has verbally agreed to our proposal. The force is the need of the hour and will be a reality very shortly,” Gautam Mohan Chakrabarti, police commissioner told The Indian Express.

“The state police are not equipped to handle such crisis situations. In case of a terror attack, we need to deploy trained men with sophisticated weapons as the first mode of response,” said a senior officer of Kolkata police who was present in meeting.

Officials opined that even if NSG squads are posted in Kolkata as announced by the Centre, they will be under the Central command and it will take some vital time to deploy them as well.

Apart from fresh recruits, the best personnel of Kolkata police will be part of the force, said Chakrabarti. The squad will be under the command of a deputy commissioner.

Apart from BSF, the police are contacting the Army and the NSG to provide commando training to the personnel. “I can assure you that they will get the best training available in the country. They will have the most up to date weapons and equipment too,” added Chakrabarti.

“According to the proposal, these personnel will be part of the rapid response team. We will impart the training at one of our battalions,” said C V Murlidharan, IG BSF (South Bengal Frontier).

The first batch is expected to begin training from this month, which will comprise endurance, fitness and combat techniques. The personnel will be also trained in sophisticated automatic and semi-automatic weapons, said BSF officers.

State home department sources said the Kolkata police have begun shortlisting personnel. “It is a gruelling schedule and requires a considerable degree of physical fitness. Therefore we are sending our fittest and best,” said a senior officer of Kolkata police.

On terror, CPM finds common ground with Centre
The state government, which was opposed to Central intervention on law and order, has now written to the Centre that it would not oppose the move to set up an NSG hub in the city. Following the terror attack in Mumbai, the Centre has planned to set up NSG units in six cities including Kolkata. The Mumbai experience had shown that the NSG took eight hours to reach the site. "We were opposed to the Central intervention but terror concerns all states," a top official said. The state, he said, has also decided to raise its own commando force in the model of the National Security Guards. At present, both state police and the Kolkata police have small commando forces which are trained for short periods by the Army and the BSF.

A few other decisions were taken at the meeting at Writers' on Monday presided over by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. These include introducing a dedicated communication system in the chief minister's security shield, providing satellite phones to principal officers depoyed for the CM's security. Five bullet-proof cars will be bought for VVIPs — taking the total to 15-— and strengthening the Special Task Force of city police, which will be equipped with 40 more bullet-proof jackets. The setting up of six coastal police stations will also be expedited. "We plan to send our forces to Singapore for training. I have written to the CM in this regard," said Pratim Chatterjee, Minister for Fire & Emergency Services.
— Sabyasachi Bandopadhyay