The Union Home Ministry has accorded ‘X’ category CRPF security cover to four more people, including Jagatguru Shankaracharya Swami Rajrajeshwarashramji Maharaj, lok Sabha MP from Bihar Veena Devi. This apart, the Centre has also accorded ‘Y’ category security cover to the Editor-in-Chief of Samachar Plus news channel.
Two other entrants in the VIP security list of the CRPF include former lok Sabha MP from Bihar Uday Singh and Kiran Chopra, wife of lS MP Ashwini Kumar.
While the Shankaracharya will enjoy ‘X’ category security cover all over the country, Chopra will avail the protection in Delhi. Both Devi and Singh will be protection by the CRPF in Bihar. Editor-in-Chief of Samachar Plus Umesh Kumar will avail the security cover across the country. In 2014, the Centre had accorded ‘Y’ category security cover to the Editor of Anand Bazar Patrika Aveek Sarkar for West Bengal.
With these five entrants in VIP security cover list of the CRPF, the list of protected persons under the paramilitary now stands at 52. Official said the security cover to these protectees was provided following review of the threat to them. While the CRPF has already started provision of security cover to Chopra and Devi, the paramilitary is yet to take over the protective cover o Shankaracharya, Kumar and former MP Uday Singh, officials said.
Following requisite approvals from the Union Home Ministry, the CRPF has designated four battalions exclusively for VIP security roles. A comprehensive proposal by the CRPF to the Union Home Ministry for creation of a VIP Security Group by amalgamating all such battalions at Greater Noida is under active consideration of the Government. The Special Duty Group (SDG) under the CRPF is already securing the Parliament Complex here.
The CRPF is all set to concentrate these four battalions (221, 222, 223 and 225) under one roof at a separate Group Centre coming up at Greater Noida for better logistic support and effective operational and administrative output.
Apart from other training facilities, the Group Centre will also have an indoor firing range for regular practice by the security personnel to boost skills and confidence.