Following a review of threat perception to VIPs, the Union Home Ministry has accorded Z-category security to yoga guru Baba Ramdev even as the CRPF has begun providing protective cover to lJP MP Chirag Paswan, BJP MP Ashwini Kumar, ABP Editor Aveek Sarkar, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) chief Babulal Marandi and former CRPF DG K Vijay Kumar.
Following sanction from the Centre, the CRPF has sought clarification from the Delhi Police in connection with the level of security and areas to be covered while protecting Baba Ramdev.
The Z-category security given by the CRPF to former Faridabad MP Avtar Singh Bhadana and Z+ cover to former Chhattisgarh Governor Shekhar Dutt has been removed.
While BJP MP Ashwini Kumar will be provided Z + category cover across the country except Delhi, Marandi will be accorded Z + protection in Jharkhand and former CRPF DG will given Z + in Chennai, Sarkar will avail Y category protection in West Bengal and Paswan will be enjoying similar cover in Naxal-affected States, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The CRPF is also providing Z + security cover to BJP president Amit Shah (across the country except Delhi) and BJP MlA of Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Som (Z category in UP). The paramilitary also provides Z-category cover to RIl chairman Mukesh Ambani and former MP Naveen Jindal. With the updated list, the paramilitary is now providing security to 44 VIPs except Baba Ramdev.
With increasing number of VIP protectees in its kitty, the CRPF earlier this year had decided to end ad-hocism and sought permission from the Union Home Ministry to dedicate four battalions (220, 221, 224 and 225) for the specialised job. Accordingly, the Centre sanctioned dedication of three battalions (3,000 personnel) for VIP security duties.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) that is mandated to protect individuals and installations is providing security cover to about 50 VIPs. The CISF has also sought dedication of 4,000 personnel for VIP security duties. Presently, about 1,200 CISF personnel are engaged in such duties.
A number of VIPs prefer protection from the CRPF due to is wider exposure in anti-insurgency and counter-terror operations.
Till authorisation and procurement of specialised weapons is approved by the Ministry, the CRPF has transferred sophisticated equipment from the existing battalions including Glock pistols, X 95 carbines and MP 5K close quarter rifles (both with features like cyclic rate of fire), vehicles fitted with special communication equipment, handset with noise reducer for every escort personnel and bullet-proof cars and escort vehicles.
The UPA Government granted VIP security cover by the CRPF to 19 people this year, including nine people between March and April, just before the parliamentary polls in May.
Till 2012, only eight VIPs were under the ambit of the CRPF and the list has grown almost six-fold with 45 protectees under its security umbrella.
Those accorded cover by the CRPF in the run up to the polls include Z-category security to then Minister in the PMO V Narayanswamy and Y-category protection for his family. Besides, Narayanswamy, the CRPF is providing security to his son Sundaram, daughter-in-law Yamuna and daughter Dr Vijaya Kumari. They continue to enjoy the CRPF protection.
A host of other Congress leaders were also included in the VIP security list of the CRPF this year and the arrangement is continuing till so far.