As he travels around the country for 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Z+ security may not be enough for Amit Shah.
New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government has upgraded BJP president Amit Shah’s security, keeping in mind his countrywide travel plans for the next few months, ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The Union home ministry’s move comes after a review of Shah’s security arrangements, in consultation with a central security agency, which found that he has a “high threat quotient”.
Shah, a Rajya Sabha MP, enjoys Z+ security but will now be an all-India ASL (advanced security liaison) protectee. This means he will be protected under ASL, the special security protocol, along with his Z+ security entitlements.
Besides the BJP president, President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Rajnath Singh are among the other ASL protectees.
Z+ security for Shah, according to reports, involves 15 personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force and the State Reserve Police force providing 24-hour security cover. Shah was accorded Z+ security by the Union home ministry in 2014.
For ASL protectees, the Intelligence Bureau will co-ordinate with the host state police and other security agencies if any, to assess the security situation of an area and take necessary precautions and put security arrangements in places ahead of a stay or visit.
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Last year, the Centre had accorded the same ASL security protocol to Shah before the Gujarat elections.
MHA sends letter to states
In a letter sent to all states and union territories two weeks ago, the home ministry asked them to carry out ASL meetings at all venues where Shah will visit or stay. It also listed a separate set of security measures for Shah’s safety.
It has asked the states to ensure that the full component of Z+ security is provided to Shah along with the CRPF security contingent deployed in his security detail and also deploy a pilot vehicle is his cavalcade along with other Z+ entitlements.
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The letter states that only security trained drivers should be deployed for Shah and his escort and pilot vehicles. It adds that PSO’s deployed with Shah should be below 45 years of age and should be well trained in personal protection duties.
Other measures listed in the letter include carrying out “rigorous anti-sabotage” checks on vehicles in which Shah would be travelling and his places of stay and visit, and strictly controlling access at such places.
The state authorities have also been asked to take adequate measures to avert threats posed by snipers and to deal with aerial threats, if any, to Shah.