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Mumbai: The sudden downgrading of security cover category for former chief minister, leader of opposition in Legislative Assembly, Devendra Fadnavis and select Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and Union Ministers has predictably raised the hackles of the BJP. The Shiv Sena led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government on Sunday not only downgraded security category for Fadnavis but has also withdrawn the bullet proof car accorded to Fadnavis. At the same time security cover for Sudhir Mungantiwar, Narayan Rane, Union Minister Raosaheb Danve, state BJP president Chandrakant Patil has been completely withdrawn.
The MVA governments move appears to have its roots in the BJP led Central Governments move last year to accord Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) cover to Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut for her recent verbal spats with the MVA government and Sena leaders in particular.
Recently the BJP led Central Government had accorded Z Plus category security cover to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat with Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) spokesperson Sachin Sawant criticized the BJP for raising its hackles and wanted to know what was its central government doing when it had reduced the security cover for former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. He argued that the security cover for BJP leaders has been reduced as there was no threat to their lives.
Reacting to the development, state BJP chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhaye has slammed the MVA government accusing it of taking the decision out of vengeance and reflects its narrow mindset. He termed the decision of the MVA government as regrettable and added that even though the government has reduced the security cover of its leaders they will continue to raise their voice over public issues.
Former Finance minister and senior BJP leader from Chandrapur district, Sudhir Mungantiwar in a sarcastic tone thanked the government for taking away his official security cover. “You have withdrawn my security cover. The security cover was granted because I come from a naxal infested district. It seems as though naxalism has ended. Although our security cover has been withdrawn our voice in favor of peoples interest and security shall become even sharper”, remarked Mungantiwar.
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Among those whose security cover category has been downgraded from Z category to Y Plus category include – Union Minister for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, BJP leader of opposition in Legislative Council Praveen Darekar, Amruta and Divija Fadnavis, Ashish Shelar, former Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik among others.
Of those whose security cover has been completely withdrawn include – Sudhir Mungantiwar, former CM Narayan Rane, Union Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies Raosaheb Danve, Madhav Bhandari among others.
Those who have been accorded security cover anew include – Deputy Speaker of Legislative Assembly Narhari Zhirwal (Y category), noted public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam (Y to Z), Congress leader and Bollywood actor Shatrughan Sinha, Yuva Sena leader Varun Sardesai (X category) among others.
The MVA government circular does not include names of BJP Union Ministers from Maharashtra – Nitin Gadkari (Surface Transport) and Union Minister for Railways Piyush Goyal.
BJP Yuva Morcha leader Devang Dave has slammed the MVA governments move terming it as “Misplaced Priorities!” He tweeted “Persons with 0 contribution towards society @SardesaiVarun only achievement toing around @AUThackeray gets X GradeSecurity from @MumbaiPolice at par with Family of Deputy CM of Maharashtra! What threat analysis was done before providing this security cover?”
There are 6 categories of security cover that are provided to a VVIP or a VIP, these include – X, Y, Y Plus, Z, Z Plus and Special Protection Group (SPG). The SPG cover is limited only to the Prime Minister and his immediate family members.
The security cover category-wise is as follows:
X category – just 1 gunman for protection.
Y category – 1 gunman for mobile security and 1 (Plus 4 on rotation) for static security.
Y Plus category – 2 gunmen (Plus 4 on rotation) for mobile security and 1 (Plus 4 on rotation) for residence security.
Z category – 6 gunmen for mobile security and 2 (Plus 8) for residence security.
Z Plus category – protectees have 10 security personnel for mobile security and 2 (Plus 8) for residence security.
There are various levels of security within the above categories. These include security of residences, mobile security, office security and inter-state security.
Different VIPs are given different kinds of security cover depending upon the threat perception they face. Some have threat only when they travel out and hence they are provided with escort force.
Many protectees get residence security from the state, but mobile security from Central Armed Police Force (CAPF). But they have to provide for the accommodation of the security personnel provided, The CAPF includes – CRPF, CISF, ITBP and others. Security cover comprising of National Security Guard (NSG), CRPF and CISF is given to VIPs other than the Prime Minister.
