TOI News Desk
NEW DELHI: The Union government is likely to undertake a significant overhaul in the VIP security setup with the induction of new ministers, leading to the transfer of security duties for over a dozen high-risk individuals from the National Security Guard (NSG) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to other paramilitary forces.
The ministry of home affairs will review the current list of allottees, which may result in the modification, reduction, or enhancement of security cover for various political figures, former ministers, retired bureaucrats, and others, PTI reported citing sources.
One key change is the long-discussed plan to completely withdraw NSG ‘black cat’ commandos from VIP security duties, transferring all nine of their Z-plus category protectees to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) VIP security unit.
Additionally, some VIPs currently under the protection of ITBP personnel may be reassigned to either the CRPF or the VIP security wing of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), known as the Special Security Group (SSG).
The list of individuals protected by the NSG includes Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, former Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh. The NSG also secures former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) President Ghulam Nabi Azad, National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah, and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Chief N. Chandrababu Naidu.
The ITBP currently protects senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, NC leader Omar Abdullah, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, among others.
The plan to relieve the NSG from VIP security roles has been under consideration since 2012, prompted by concerns that simultaneous terrorist attacks in multiple locations could overextend the NSG’s capabilities, necessitating the rapid deployment of their commandos in different directions.
Currently, the CRPF and CISF VIP security wings protect more than 200 individuals. The CRPF is responsible for safeguarding Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Gandhi family, among others, while the CISF protects National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and additional protectees.
The ministry of home affairs will review the current list of allottees, which may result in the modification, reduction, or enhancement of security cover for various political figures, former ministers, retired bureaucrats, and others, PTI reported citing sources.
One key change is the long-discussed plan to completely withdraw NSG ‘black cat’ commandos from VIP security duties, transferring all nine of their Z-plus category protectees to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) VIP security unit.
Additionally, some VIPs currently under the protection of ITBP personnel may be reassigned to either the CRPF or the VIP security wing of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), known as the Special Security Group (SSG).
The list of individuals protected by the NSG includes Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, former Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh. The NSG also secures former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) President Ghulam Nabi Azad, National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah, and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Chief N. Chandrababu Naidu.
The ITBP currently protects senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, NC leader Omar Abdullah, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, among others.
The plan to relieve the NSG from VIP security roles has been under consideration since 2012, prompted by concerns that simultaneous terrorist attacks in multiple locations could overextend the NSG’s capabilities, necessitating the rapid deployment of their commandos in different directions.
Currently, the CRPF and CISF VIP security wings protect more than 200 individuals. The CRPF is responsible for safeguarding Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Gandhi family, among others, while the CISF protects National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and additional protectees.