Police forces face shortage of anti-mine vehicles (Lead)

New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are facing a shortage of mine-protected vehicles (MPVs), Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir told Parliament on Tuesday.

The minister said that of the 157 MPVs sanctioned by the Home Ministry in the last three years, only 13 had been supplied by the Ordnance Factory Board, which works under the Defence Ministry.

Ahir said the Home Ministry had requested the Defence Ministry and Ordnance Factory Board to expedite the supply of MPVs.

He added that the requirement of the CAPF for any item, including MPVs, changes with time and deployment pattern.

"Acquisition of such items is an ongoing process. The actual procurement of any equipment, including MPVs, is guided by operational requirements and availability of funds," Ahir said.

Nine Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed on March 13 when Maoists blew up an MPV in Kistaram area in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district.