The Centre has drafted a plan to urgently deploy rapid action units of the National Security Guard (NSG) in six or seven cities, including Mumbai. Until the state units are created, it is proposed to utilise personnel of commando units of the three armed forces in the states.

Though a Cabinet note for NSG “decentralization” was ready weeks before the Mumbai attack, the proposal is being amended following the high-level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister yesterday.

Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar, who attended the meeting, told The Indian Express that the NSG’s state expansion plan, augmentation of coastal security, creation of a federal investigation agency and steps to be taken to improve security in hotels were among the subjects discussed at the meeting.

National Security Advisor M K Narayanan, Principal Secretary T K A Nair, Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and the Defence chiefs also attended the meeting.

“For the next one week, I will be postponing most other scheduled meetings to give final shape to proposals on all these subjects,” Chandrasekhar said.

Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta told The Indian Express that a review has been undertaken on creation of a third-tier of coastal security, in addition to the Navy and Coast Guards. The current plan envisages provision of a fleet of 208 new patrolling boats to sensitive coastal states, including Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Gupta said a process was being coordinated with the Ministry of Defence for purchase of three new aircraft by the Home Ministry — these will be used by paramilitary forces, including the NSG, for emergencies such as the Mumbai attacks.

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