State downscales Dr Raman Singh’s security to ‘Z’ from Z-plus category
| Date :05-Dec-2019 |
Staff Reporter :
RAIPUR,
Even As the controversy over withdrawing SPG cover of Gandhi family is yet to die down, the Chhattisgarh government, through a notification, upgraded and downscaled security cover of several very very important person (VVIP) protectees in State. Accordingly, the security cover of former Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Vice-President Dr Raman Singh and his family members have also been scaled down. The security cover review was taken as per fixed guidelines on the recommendations made by Protection Review Group, which met on November 13, 2019. As per the recommendations of Protection Review Group of the State Home Ministry, the security cover of former Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh and Rajnandgaon MLA, has been downscaled to ‘Z’ category from Z-plus category. Similarly, the security cover of former Rajnandgaon MP and Dr Raman Singh’s son, Abhishek Singh has also been downscaled to Z category from Z-plus.
The security cover of Veena Singh, Dr Singh’s wife, has also been downscaled to lowest X category from Z category. Security cover of Aishwarya Singh and Asmita Singh daughter-in-law and daughter of Dr Raman Singh respectively, who were enjoying ‘X’ category security cover till now, has been withdrawn completely. On the recommendation of the Protection Review Group, Congress Legislator from Chitrakot Rajman Benjam has been placed under ‘Z’ category security. BJP MLA from Bindranawagarh has been placed under ‘Y-plus’ category while BJP MP from Mahasamund Chunnilal Sahu and Congress MLA from Dongargaon has been placed under ‘Y’ category security cover.
On the recommendation of the Protection Review Group, no changes have been made in the security cover of Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Renuka Singh, former Kanker MLA Sumitra Markole, former Kanker MLA Sevakram Netam and former Bhanupratappur MLA Brahmanand Netam, all of whom are covered under ‘Y-plus’ security cover. Similarly, the ‘Y’ category security cover of Urban Administration and Development Minister Dr Shivkumar Daharia, former Minister Brijmohan Agrawal and former Minister Ganeshram Bhagat, has been kept intact. The ‘Z’ category security cover of former Chitrakot MLAs Lacchuram Kashyap and Baiduram Kashyap has also been kept unchanged. Former Marwahi MLA and Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (J) President Amit Jogi, who doesn’t have any security cover presently, had applied for security, which has been rejected after reviewing his threat perception by the Protection Review Group. In the case of Jamuna Sankini, President Bijapur Zila Panchayat and Hapka Mara, Sarpanch village Maraiguda (Sukma), who’re under ‘Y-plus’ and ‘X’ category security cover presently, the Protection Review Group has recommended for conducting their threat perception review by Intelligence Bureau (IB).
On the threat perception report from IB, their security proposal would be reviewed in the next meeting of Protection Review Group. Commenting on the developments, former Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh said the people are watching what kind of political developments are taking place in State. He, however, assured that his political activities will continue as earlier. Downscaling of security cover doesn’t affect him. He further added that it seems there has been change in the outlook and conceptualisation of police administration in the last 11 months.
While his and his family members’ security has been down-scaled as if there is complete peace in Chhattisgarh and that there is no threat perception. Dr Singh further added that some people think that the security cover of Gandhi family has been downscaled, so the state government has acted accordingly here. But the background on which security threats are decided are different here and at the national-level. Chhattisgarh is a LWE affected area and when the Protection Review Group meets, inputs from IB is also taken. He said it is state government’s decision and he can only react on the issue. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party, reacting to the downscaling of security cover of former Chief Minister and his family members, stated that it’s a decision which has been taken with vindictive approach. Since these leaders visit LWE affected areas, their security cover should be kept intact.
As per provisions contained in the Blue Book of MHA, which lays down security guidelines for the protection of VVIPs and VIPs facing different levels of threats, security is classified into four main levels (X,Y,Z and Z+ category) depending on the level of threat. While Z+ is the highest security level, additional NSG/SPG coverage is provided to the most important people in the country, including current and former Prime Ministers; the X category of security entails the most basic protection and has a security cover of two personnel with one personal security officer (PSO). The Y category entails 11 personnel standing guard and also includes two PSOs. The Z category really sets things a notch up with the security going up to 22 personnel and extra security by CRPF and one escort car.
The Z+ category is considered only second to SPG cover and involves 36 personnel for security along with advanced weaponry, and the latest gadgets and gizmos. Persons under this category of security are entitled to round-the-clock personal security, which include, 28 National Security Guard commandos, an escort, a pilot and tailing vehicles, Cobra commandos and 12 home guards. The Z+ category has a security cover of 55 personnel - 10+ NSG commandos and the rest police personnel.