R.C. Sharma

What is the function of leadership in a hierarchical organisation like the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)? The leadership function is to command men in such a way to obtain their willing obedience, confidence, respect and loyal cooperation in order to accomplish the task and mission. However, to obtain their respect and willing cooperation, the leadership has to be regimented, born and brought up in the organisational environment to understand difficulties of men on ground, their desires, needs and expectations from the leadership. The hierarchy has to be born, groomed, trained and brought up in a manner that it grows with men it has to command. The leadership should not be imposed/ para-dropped. Such leadership creates confusion and dilemma in the minds of men who are the cutting edge to accomplish assigned role and task.

Considering the above, let us analyse the status of leadership in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). All CAPFs have a dual system of leadership:

• Regimented Leadership
• Imposed/Para-dropped Leadership

Troops are commanded by regimented leadership. Regimented leadership understands force ethos, culture, difficulties and frustration