The Centre has accorded West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar ‘Z’ category VIP security cover in the wake of “potential threats” to him.
Union Home Ministry has issued an order and directed the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to take charge of Dhankar’s security that will be valid in all parts of the country and not remained confined to his cover in West Bengal.
Under the ‘Z” category, the West Bengal Governor will have about 8-10 armed security personnel with him when he travels apart from an escort car. The CRPF will take over the charge soon, officials said.
CRPF cover came as a threat assessment report prepared by central security and intelligence agencies found that Dhankar needs to be secured by a professional team of personnel especially in the wake of the recent incident at Jadavpur University where Union Minister Babul Supriyo was heckled and he had rushed to save him.
The CRPF guards a number of VIPs including Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The Governor had on Tuesday said that he was deeply hurt at the treatment allegedly meted out to him at the Durga Puja Carnival on Red Road on October 11. Usually governors are given state police cover.
VIP security cover entails four categories: “Z-plus” (34 guards); “Z” (22 guards); “Y” (11 guards) and “X” (2 guards).