More than a thousand security personnel are likely to be airlifted from Mumbai, Hyderabad, Gujarat and few other places for quick deployment in Tamil Nadu in the face of any eventuality that disturbs the law and order in the state. Tamil Nadu is currently on tenterhooks with chief minister and AIADMK supremo, Jayalalithaa, remaining critical in hospital.
Security sources said ten companies (nearly 1000 personnel) of central forces -- including 9 companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) under CRPF and one company of ITBP -- have been put on standby in these cities. They will be airlifted first, as soon as there is a request from the state government. One company of the RAF has around 120-130 personnel. Sources in the home ministry said that, so far, they have not received any requisition from the state government seeking central assistance to maintain law and order. However, MHA officials are keeping a close watch on the situation and are in constant touch with the state government .
Ministry officials said the decision to airlift forces to Chennai was taken keeping in mind the fast-paced developments and emotions running high in the state. The fastest way would be to airlift them, rather than ask the nearby forces to be deployed first, an official said. Once the MHA receives a requisition from the state government for central forces deployment, immediate orders will be passed on to the CRPF and ITBP brass to dispatch the forces.
The frenzy over Jayalalithaa's critical health condition continues to build up as crowds are thronging the hospital and taking to the street after news broke Sunday evening that the AIADMK leader had suffered a cardiac arrest.
