'DNA' EDIT: Make public security top priority

The paramilitary Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will raise a unit of 1,000 men that will take over the protection of all VIPs in the country who need Z+ security. There are 37 VIP/VVIPs with Z+ security, each of who needs 20 bodyguards at any point, besides separate guards at home.

There are too many policemen guarding too many VIPs, and in the process ignoring the citizens of India and the investigation of crimes. India already suffers from a massive shortage of policemen on the streets: The government has sanctioned about 145 policemen per 1 lakh people, but there are only 117 policemen per 1 lakh people. The UN has mandated a figure of 220 policemen per 1 lakh.

Worse, too many of our policemen are sucked into guarding VIPs, which many don’t need, but insist on as a status symbol. Just a few days ago, the government approved Z+ security to Union minister Beni Prasad Verma, going against its earlier promise to cut down the number of VIPs with Z+ security. It is this lack of policemen on the roads that allows men to gang rape and murder women, whether in Delhi or Mumbai.

A completely separate team to guard VIPs will free the cops to police the streets and investigate crimes, If funding is separated, it will ensure that money meant for the policemen is not spent on VIP security. This CISF move is welcome and it would benefit all Indians if it were implemented across India.