Challenging to protect country when neighbour is hostile: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the task of security forces to protect the country becomes challenging when the "neighbour is hostile" and provides safe haven to "those conspiring" to hurt India internally, an apparent reference to Pakistan.

He was addressing officers and other personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) here on the occasion of the paramilitary force's 50th Raising Day.

He lauded the CISF and other security forces for their efforts to secure the country "when the neighbour is very hostile, is not capable of fighting a war and provides shelter and support to those conspiring to cause hurt in various forms to India from within."

The Prime Minister said when terrorism acquires the "very gruesome forms", then the challenge for the security forces to protect the country and its resources becomes very big, he said.

He also noted that the 'VIP culture' sometimes becomes the biggest challenge for the security forces.

"The biggest challenge for you while serving is people like me and my community, those who consider themselves as VIPs. They get frustrated when you stop them at airports...The VIP culture sometimes becomes the biggest challenge for security," the Prime Minister said.

"It's not difficult to protect one person. Rather it's difficult to protect an institution, where lakhs of people come, where every face is different, everyone's behavior is different. This is a bigger task than protecting a VIP," he added.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Modi paid tributes to police officials who lost their lives while on duty.

"Emotionally I feel that those in 'Khaki' uniforms - their hard work has not been felicitated and recognised well in the country. Whether it is CISF, CRPF or any other security force, because of your dedication and sacrifices, we are today being able to dream about New India," he added.

He also suggested building digital museums at airports and metro stations demonstrating the history of CISF.

"We should build a digital museum at airports and metro stations. There should be a screen there, which should demonstrate how CISF was formed, what they expect from people, how they are concerned about national security and working 24x7. That's how people will understand that they should pay respect to CISF officials for their dedication. I will give full support for doing this," he assured.