Austria forms special squad to tighten border control

VIENNA, Jan 19 (KUNA) -- Austria is forming a rapid intervention force to safeguard borders in emergencies, Interior Minister Herbel Kickl said.
The squad will be empowered to close border exits if necessary, the minister said in remarks to the newspaper, Tiroler Tageszeitung, published on Friday.
Another force grouping police officers will be also set up to back the rapid intervention squad for scrutinizing passports and identity papers at the border checkpoints, also in extraordinary conditions.
The minister defended his recent announcement that he planned to group refugees in central locations, drawing wrath from various quarters that likened the scheme to Nazi detention camps, saying he "did not intend so at all." (end) amq.rk