Security of VVIP is in excess and the security of common people is being neglected !

1. A proposal to use the Police force for the security of common people by reducing the current importance given to VIP security

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray asked the Police officers for a report on the security system and various solutions on providing security. Since the Police force is used for protecting political leaders and their tours, many-a-time law and order situation is ignored by the Police. As a result, the aim behind this order is to engage the Police force in the security of the common people by reducing the security to VIPs. The Central Government has also decided to remove NSG (National Security Guards) from the security to VIPs. Earlier, SPG (Special Protection Group) security was removed from the Gandhi family and VIP security was deputed in its place. Black Cat Commandos from the Anti-Terrorist Squad were removed from the VIP security after almost 2 decades.

2. NSG was removed from security to VIPs to focus on its original role

NSG was founded in 1984. The tasks of NSG did not consist of VIP security in its list. NSG commandos were responsible for the Z+ security of 13 high profile people. This entailed around 2 dozen commandos armed with sophisticated assault weapons for VIP security. This task is now to be transferred to paramilitary forces. NSG was withdrawn from VIP security to ensure its focus is on its original role as an elite counter-terrorism and anti-hijacking force.

3. If VVIP culture is glorified so much, who will provide security to the common people ?

VVIP security has always been a topic of discussion. Though from time to time discussions were held to abolish VVIP culture, it is being implemented only now. A report compiled by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) reveals that many politicians who do not actually have perception of any danger also get security cover. Today, when the country is actually short of Police personnel, if the Policemen are deployed for VVIP security on such a large scale, who will hold the responsibility of protecting the common citizens ?

Instead of the VVIP culture reducing, it increased over time. One question commonly raised rhetorically by people is whether the Police force is always occupied in protecting VVIPs rather than protecting common citizens. It is a fact that there is a huge shortage of Police force for the protection of common citizens, Today, the Police force is awfully short in dealing with the security of common citizens, creating dread among criminals and fighting terrorists and Naxals. Hence, expert committees frequently suggested reducing the number of Policemen deployed for VVIP security.

4. Appointing NSG commandos withdrawn from VIP security to fresh tasks

The removal of NSG from the VVIP security duties resulted in freeing about 450 commandos, who will now be used for enhancing the combat aspects of the force that is spread across five hubs in the country. The VIPs under NSG cover would be handed over to paramilitary forces such as the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) and the CISF (Central Industrial Security Force), which already provide security to about 130 prominent persons jointly.

5. CRPF and CISF have the responsibility to protect several VVIPs

The CRPF was recently given the security of former PM Manmohan Singh and his wife, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. All these 5 people were earlier provided SPG cover. Additionally, security of the Lok Sabha speaker, Om Birla, has been handed over to CRPF, while the security of NSA Ajit Doval and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat and some other VVIPs has been handed over to CISF.

6. VVIP security and its impact on the common man

6A. VVIP security cover was extended after the murder of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi : The former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was murdered in 1984. VVIP personnel security was then given high importance. Seven years later, PM Rajiv Gandhi was murdered by an LTTE suicide squad. VVIP security cover then increased further.

6B. Terrorism ended in Punjab, but the number of VIPs increased : Protection was required when terrorism in Punjab was at its peak. Terrorism ended in Punjab in the 1990s. Though terrorism was not that active in rest of India, VIP security cover kept increasing day-by-day.

6C. Expenditure on VVIP security from taxpayer’s money : The VVIP security is a type of burden on the country’s wealth. It is in a way wastage of taxpayer’s money. In the name of security, the money is spent on their additional vehicles, helicopters and aeroplanes. Though NSG was established as a counter-terror force, the best commandos from the Indian Army were thus misused for VVIP security.

6D. Coverage to relatives of VVIPs under VIP security is a misuse of the facility : No VVIP has been attacked since 1986. Terrorist and Naxal attacks that took place targeted common people. Thus, security cover is more essential for the common man. Not only this, but providing security to relatives of VVIPs is a misuse of the rule. To be surrounded by black commandos was considered a VVIP culture. Hence, it ultimately caused distress to the common people.

7. Providing VVIP security depends on the threat perception to the person

Security details are provided to some high-risk people depending on the threat perception. The threat perception is analysed by the Police. At present, however, the security cover is provided without analysing the threat perception in detail. Providing security to any VIP who really faces danger from terrorists and Naxals can be well understood, but VVIP security cover is not necessary for each VVIP.

7A. It is unfortunate that thousands of VIPs from Bengal and Jammu & Kashmir are needlessly under security cover, and those who talk of dividing India get protection from the Government : The number of VIPs in the list in Bengal is 2,207. The threat perception for them is, however, almost zero. Likewise 2,075 people in Jammu & Kashmir are listed under VIP category, but not all of them face grave risk. The anti-Indian and treacherous Hurriyat Conference was also under security cover. Now, its security has been withdrawn. It is very unfortunate that those who talk of dividing India get security from the Government. Many political leaders who presently neither have any political power, nor any danger to their life are still moving with Police protection. All this has to be stopped.

7B. Only one Policeman per 663 citizens is negligence about the security of common people : Data compiled by the Bureau of Police Research and Development in 2018 says that over 57,000 Policemen are deployed just for the safety of 20,820 VIPs. Each VIP is protected by 3 Policemen; but on the other hand, there is extreme negligence towards the security of common people. There is only one Policeman deployed for 663 citizens.

8. Praiseworthy decision of the Government

Besides wastage of money, the VIP culture has resulted in many inconveniences to the people. This includes barricading of roads, banning entry to the common man in many areas, etc. Withdrawing NSG commandos from VIP security and handing over this task to CRPF and CISF is, therefore, a praiseworthy decision. This will lead to utilizing the best commando force for counter-terrorism.

9. Citizens will certainly support the Government’s decision

It has been a fashion to provide security to cricketers, film stars and other celebrities. Priority must be given to the challenges of internal security of the Nation as well as to the demolition of terrorist and Naxal networks. This will secure not only the common man’s life but also provide protection to the VIPs. Therefore, the Government’s decision of removing NSG commandos from the duty of VVIP security is a very good decision. The decision would be supported by all over the country.

– (Retired) Brigadier Hemant Mahajan, Pune
(Ref. : Daily ‘Sanatan Prabhat’)