Indian airport cops told to ‘stop smiling’ as security blame 9/11 terror attacks on ‘over-friendliness’
ARMED airport police in India have been told to smile less after a security chief appeared to blame September 11 attacks on 'over-friendliness'.
The Central Industrial Security Force of India - which controls aviation safety in 60 of India's 100 airports - wants staff to be "more vigilant than friendly".
Armed officers at airports will moved from a "broad smile system" to a "sufficient smile system".
The ban on excessive smiling comes amid security concerns that cheery security staff could be perceived as lax and risk a higher chance of terror attacks.
CISF director general Rajesh Ranjan told said: "We cannot be over-friendly with the passengers because one of the reasons cited as to why 9/11 happened… was excessive reliance on passenger friendly features.
"Friendly smiles are good but focus should be on the core duties that we perform at the airports."
Ranjan also said CISF personnel would be trained in behavioural analysis by international consultants.
India has experienced a six-fold increase in passenger numbers over the past decade as citizens take advantage cheap airfares and improved connectivity.
But analysts have warned that airports are not equipped for the surge in the numbers of travellers.
As a result, there are fears that security and passenger safety could be affected unless there is substantial government investment.
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It's not the first time police officers in India have been issued bizarre rules on their appearance and behaviour.
Earlier this year, the State Reserve Police in Karnataka told its officers or face suspension from service.
And in 2004, police in Madhya Pradesh were paid to grow moustaches because bosses believed it made them .
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