CRPF to raise 1 more unit for Gandhis' cover

New Delhi: Central paramilitary force, CRPF, which has been assigned the task of protecting Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her family following withdrawal of the Special Protection Group (SPG) cover is all set to raise a special unit for the same.

The force has also written to all states and Union Territories (UTs) about new security protocols for the Gandhi family and has sought home ministry’s permission to raise another battalion for the VIP security unit.

Gandhi family’s SPG security cover has been replaced with a Z-plus security to be provided by the CRPF. It has also sought permission to procure specialised armoured vehicles for the VIP which now also includes former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Sources said that for the time being SPG is providing its vehicles for both Dr Singh and the Gandhi family. But eventually these will be replaced by CRPF’s own armoured vehicles.

Meanwhile, in a communication route to all states and UTs through the Union home ministry, CRPF has said that since it has the advance security liaison for these VIPs, it would need support of the state police also in intelligence gathering and other security and administrative protocols before these VIPs visit there respective areas for a visit.

As per the laid down security procedures, a CRPF unit will reach the location to be visited by the VIP to co-ordinate with the local police and administrative agencies.  

Officials said the concerned states are expected to cooperate in terms of providing all local logistical support to the CRPF’s security team like route plans and travel maps.

Earlier, the same exercise was being conducted by the SPG. All state and UT police security divisions have been told in detailed about the ‘yellow book’, which details the security procedures.

In addition all 28 VVIP security bases of the CRPF across the country will also assist in this exercise. Apart from the Gandhi family, Dr Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur, the newly procured armoured vehicles by CRPF will also be used for home minister Amit Shah who has a high threat perception too.

As of now CRPF provides security cover to about 57 VIPs. Though initially the CRPF plans to raise one battalion for additional security duties but this could be increased to two as the forces has already deployed about 700 personnel to provide cover  to the Gandhi’s, Dr Singh and his wife. CRPF has four battalions roughly around 4,000 personnel in its special unit for VVIP security duties.