After receiving fresh threat inputs and conducting a security assessment, the Centre is planning to hand over the Z-plus security cover for the Vice-President to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) instead of Delhi Police, The Indian Express has learnt.
Sources said the plan was conveyed to Delhi Police officers by CRPF officers during a joint security review meeting ahead of the Vice-Presidential election on September 9. Representatives of Intelligence agencies and paramilitary forces were also part of the meeting.
“It was conveyed that CRPF will deploy commandos inside the premises of V-P Enclave while Delhi Police will conduct car passage clearance duty,” sources said, adding that no official communication has been received yet.
The election was necessitated by the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar from the post in July due to health reasons.
According to protocol, the V-P gets Z-plus cover from the security division of Delhi Police, including three officers holding the rank of Assistant Police Commissioner as Personal Security Officers. It is the second-highest security category in the country after the Special Protection Group cover for the Prime Minister and immediate family members. In the Z-plus category, around 50 personnel work in shifts with enhanced arrangements for the residence and cavalcade.
The security protocol for the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister is based on guidelines detailed in the respective “Blue Book” issued by the Union Home Ministry under the Special Protection Group Act. “The Delhi Police was told during the review meeting that the process is on to make some amendments in the Blue Books,” an officer said.
Last year, the Home Ministry had sanctioned a fresh battalion of specially trained personnel, withdrawn from Parliament duty, to be attached to the CRPF’s VIP security wing. “After conducting a security assessment last year of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the CRPF took over charge of security from the Delhi Police. Delhi Police is now posted at the entrance checking gate,” the officer said.
