The Gujarat Police has taken up with the Centre the problems it faces in providing security to State Chief Minister and BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in the other States. The Gujarat Police has pointed out that some States were objecting to its security arrangements on the ground that law and order was a State subject.
It has claimed that such stands from State Governments were against the guidelines of the Supreme Court and the Centre that stipulates that the State from which the VIP hails can provide him/her security for a period of three days since the start of the visit.
The BJP has been demanding an SPG security cover for Modi, especially against the backdrop of bomb blasts at his Patna rally wherein six people were killed and about 100 people wounded. However, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has turned down the request claiming the security cover provided to Modi was sufficient. In-charge DGP of Gujarat Pramod Kumar emphasised that law and order at the time of public meetings was equally important even as he called for the need for coordination with State authorities.
The Gujarat Government raised the issue in an MHA-convened closed-door session recently on “VIP security issues in the context of the forthcoming General Elections”.
The Gujarat DGP also stressed the need for checking the character and antecedents of the helicopter crew and private agencies which leased out the helicopters for use by VIPs. National Security Guards DG Arvind Ranjan suggested that during Modi’s tours outside the State mock drills/rehearsals at the venue should be conducted by the State police along with the NSG, the Gujarat Police detachment and Advance Security liaison (ASl) team.
Modi’s security cordon at Moga in Punjab comprised around 8,000 police personnel -- including commandos, special weapons and tactics teams, snipers and quick reactions. The rally venue was divided into three high security zones and was monitored by over a dozen senior police officials. Ranjan, however, ruled out the NSG sending bomb detection teams for routine VIP security duties. He made it clear that the NSG’s primary activity was counter-terrorism and anti-hijacking, according to a classified dossier documenting the proceedings of the high-profile meet of top police and intelligence security officials.
The role of commandos accompanying a VIP too was discussed with the police chiefs of several States seeking issuance of guidelines by the Union Home Ministry regarding the role and responsibilities of commandos, in a situation warranting evacuation. Some of them even raised the issue of absence of capabilities to check eatables served to the VIPs in advance as reports of checks came often after the visit of the high-profile protectees was over.
SPG officials suggested a check of raw materials used for preparation of food for the VIP and its certification by authorised personnel. The Intelligence Bureau advised the top cops that a security strategy specific to the region, area and protectees should be prepared. It also advocated strict adherence to time-tested ground rules such as taking stock of security equipment, mobilisation of trained security personnel, technical teams, gadgets and logistics, followed by comprehensive threat assessment.
Pointing that ASl was the cornerstone of VVIP security management, the IB also emphasised putting in place a well rehearsed contingency plan, strict access control, proper sanitisation of venues, approach roads and anti-sabotage checks. Modi is provided NSG security cover by 108 commandos. Inner security cordon has recently been raised from 18 to 36 commandos. A Z-Plus protectee also enjoys a pilot car during travel across the country.