CRPF to guard Pratibha Patil's Pune bungalow

The government has sanctioned an armed paramilitary squad to guard the bungalow of former President Pratibha Patil in Pune in Maharashtra.

The Union Home Ministry has asked the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to deploy a contingent of about 25-30 personnel to render "static guard" and sentry duties at the post-retirement abode of Patil in the Pashan Road area of the city.

CRPF, the mainstay for anti-Naxal operations in the country, has been drawn into static guard or installations security duty after a long time, sources said, adding that the troops for this task will be drawn from a battalion based in north India.

The bungalow for the first woman President of the country in Pune was finalised by the Urban Development Ministry last year after the earlier house she was wanting to construct on a defence land got into a controversy.

Authorities have recently begun erecting sentry posts and residential facilities for the paramilitary squad that will be present 24X7 at the house.

The sources said former Presidents are authorised to choose a post-retirement abode of their choice and the government also ensures security at the place of their residence.

CRPF has recently been tasked to provide VIP security cover to RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani and former MoS Matang Singh.