‘VIP security cut not feasible, desirable’

As the Supreme Court kept up the pressure to scale down VIP security, there were indications that the security establishment was unlikely to go along with the popular mood and drastically prune personal security cover, Aloke Tikku reports.

As the Supreme Court kept up the pressure to scale down VIP security, there were indications that the security establishment was unlikely to go along with the popular mood and drastically prune personal security cover.

“It is neither feasible nor desirable given the extent of threat perception,” a senior government official told HT, pointing that some people could – and do – lose their cover but there would be no dramatic scale down of VIP security.

“If there is more security than the required, then it needs to be scaled down,” minister of state for home affairs RPN Singh said. “But there is no unnecessary security,” he quickly added.

Home ministry officials said the minister was dot on the mark and much of the public debate over VIP security misplaced.

If the idea is to raise the presence of the police on the streets, the solution lies in raising the police strength, he said. Else, you might be putting the lives of the protected persons at risk.

The home ministry had a few years ago reduced the number of policemen deployed for category Y protectees but has second thoughts about its efficacy. “Who is going to take the responsibility if something happens,” a police officer said.