President Pranab under threat from Jehadi outfits

At the moment, President Pranab Mukherjee is the more threatened VVIP than, as some in the security establishment would say, even PM Manmohan Singh.

At the moment, President Pranab Mukherjee is the more threatened VVIP than, as some in the security establishment would say, even PM Manmohan Singh.

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After the rejection of mercy pleas of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks convict Ajmal Kasab and the Parliament attack case convict Afzal Guru, the security establishment is very worried about his security, especially during his movements across the country. He is under threat from the jehadi outfits.

“There are no worries with regard to his security as long as he is in Rashtrapati Bhavan, which is a secure area. But his movement outside Rashtrapati Bhavan is under tight security watch.

The President’s security contingent, mainly consisting of the Delhi Police personnel, has been asked to remain extremely careful during his visits outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan,” said a security source.

An inspector general of the Delhi Police heads the security contingent of the President.

A recent example was Mukherjee’s visit to the CGO Complex for the reception hosted by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on its raising day.

“His security team objected to his visit to the CGO Complex which houses headquarters of central police organisations like ITBP, BSF and CRPF. Their objection was with regard to the highrises in the vicinity. But the security team was prevailed upon as it was pointed out that all high-rises are headquarters of the central police organisations and they can be easily secured,” said the source.

Ultimately, the President attended the CISF reception along with Vice President Hamid Ansari.

“There were a few objection against the President’s security team. But they were sorted out,” said a CISF official on the condition of anonymity.