VIPs to get a separate security force soon

NEW DELHI: The Union Home Ministry is considering setting up a dedicated force to handle security of VIPs and VVIPs. The proposal was on the agenda of a meeting of the Consultative Committee of Home Ministry held at Nainital in Uttaranchal on Tuesday.

The govt has been facing an ever increasing burden of providing security. The total number of important people needing protection is now 2,014. Of these, 114 are in the highest ‘Z+’ category alone. Over 16,500 security personnel are engaged in security duties with Delhi police providing over 9,000 men out of its total strength of about 60,000 for VIP and VVIP security services.

A force meant exclusively for providing security, under the overall command of Delhi Police Commissioner or the Director General of Central Industrial Security Force, was being contemplated. There have been other suggestions earlier, such as hiring private security agencies and providing security on payment. The idea of a dedicated force is now finding favour over outsourcing security services.

A Home Ministry spokesman said that members made valuable suggestions on the issue during the deliberation. The Home Minister assured the members of carefully considering all their suggestions including the possibility of creating a force dedicated to the security of important individuals.