A team of National Security Guards (NSG) officials, accompanied by commandos, is set to begin a four-day visit to Ayodhya starting Wednesday. Their mission includes initiating plans for establishing an NSG hub in the city and evaluating security arrangements for the newly constructed Ram temple, as confirmed by senior district administration and police officials on Tuesday.
The NSG team is expected to conduct mock drills in collaboration with local police and other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to enhance preparedness and reduce response times during potential security threats. This initiative marks the establishment of the first NSG response center in Uttar Pradesh, aimed at bolstering security capabilities in the state, officials added.
Earlier in June, the central government announced plans to set up NSG units in Ayodhya, Pathankot, and Kerala. The Ayodhya unit is slated to become operational by the year’s end, supplementing local law enforcement and CAPF units in ensuring enhanced security measures.
Praveen Kumar, Inspector General of Police (IGP) for the Ayodhya range, affirmed that the NSG team’s agenda includes assessing threat perceptions and evaluating the current security infrastructure surrounding the Ram temple. Meetings are anticipated between NSG authorities and local security agencies, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), and UP Special Security Force (UPSSF), to devise a comprehensive security strategy against potential threats from various extremist factions targeting the temple.
An official from the Ayodhya district administration disclosed that the NSG has applied for land allocation from the district magistrate’s office to establish their operational hub by year-end.
The upcoming NSG unit in Ayodhya will be equipped with specialized weaponry and anti-drone technology. Once operational, this new hub, along with others planned across the country, will expand the NSG’s presence to eight regional centers. Presently, NSG hubs are located in Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Gandhinagar, strategically chosen based on threat assessments and proximity to sensitive areas.