Border guarding force ITBP today celebrated its 52nd raising day without a regular chief in command.
The post of the Director General of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is vacant for close to two months now as the Home Ministry has not appointed a regular incumbent to the post.
Additional DG of the force and senior IPS officer Mahboob Alam, who was given the top charge in an "officiating" capacity since incumbent Ajay Chadha retired on August 30, took the salute at the ceremonial parade of the 56,000- personnel strong force which is tasked to guard the Sino-Indian frontier, along with Minister of State for Home R P N Singh.
"There has never been a precedent in paramilitary forces when a raising day was held without a regular chief. The anniversary day of a force is very important and jawans and officers look forward to this day all year long. Not appointing a full DG for ITBP reflects the government's priorities," a senior official said.
The ITBP is also the first responder in disaster-prone areas in the country, like the recent flash floods and rains that had caused havoc in Uttarakhand.
Sources said a few names of senior Indian Police Service officials have been finalised to be chosen as the new DG ITBP.
The ITBP was raised in 1962 in the wake of the Chinese aggression and apart from guarding the border, the paramilitary force is deployed to render a variety of internal security duties including conducting anti-Naxal operations.
