No threat means no security for VIPs
Several city builders may lose their gun-toting guards following police commissioner Arup Patnaik’s order seeking review of security threat that they claim to be facing. HT reports.
Several city builders may lose their gun-toting guards following police commissioner Arup Patnaik’s order seeking review of security threat that they claim to be facing.
“In case there is no imminent threat then we may consider revoking their security,” Patnaik said, while adding that the decision for extending security cover to builders will depend on several factors.
“We will have to see if the threat is real or imminent. We also need to see if the builders have received a fresh threat call and then decide on continuing their security,” Patnaik said.
He said that there are builders with criminal antecedents who too enjoy police protection. “There are such cases but if there is an actual threat to an individual, then we cannot deny them protection,” he said.
Patnaik also accepted that there have been instances when bodyguards provided to a VIP have been misused. “Sometimes they act on their own while they are pressurised at times to do so.” He added that in such cases penal actions will be taken against erring policemen.
Sources said that the move was aimed at freeing a large number of policemen, who are preoccupied with providing security. There are an estimated 3,200 policemen, who are engaged in VIP protection.