On Saturday, May 22, the Ministry of Home Affairs granted Y+ security to the brother and father of BJP MLA from West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari. Suvendu’s father is Sisir Adhikari, another MP from West Bengal who is also the former Union Minister for Rural Development. Suvendu’s brother Dibyendu also received the Y+ security. Dibyendu is a Member of Parliament who was elected in Lok Sabha in 2016.
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Background
Weeks after the West Bengal elections the Ministry of Home Affairs provided security involving 77 new BJP MLAs from West Bengal. The Centre’s approval of granting the opposition MLAs security came in the view of potential life threat looming over their heads. The decision came after a report was submitted by a 3-member team that went to West Bengal after the poll violence that occurred during the poll season and which was the cause of death of 21 people.
Details
Lok Sabha MPs Sisir Adhikari and Dibyendu Adhikari, who are also the father and the brother respectively of the current BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari, are granted the Y+ security by the Ministry of Home Affairs. This means that they will now be under the protection of a personal security officer and 11 policemen and commandos.
Rs. 1.5 crore per month will be borne by Home Ministry
The decision to grant the Adhikari’s Y+ security detail comes after 77 new BJP MLAs were given similar types of security detail. According to a Union Home Ministry official, 66 MLAs have received X level security, 4 have received Y level security, 9 have received Y+ security and 3 have received Z category. According to reports, the cost of the security will be around Rs. 1.5 crore per month and will be borne by the Home Ministry.
Centre alleges TMC not allowing security inside assembly building
However, the Centre blamed the TMC for not allowing the security parameters to be put in the place appropriately. The Centre alleged that Mamata Banerjee’s TMC didn’t allow the security personnel inside the assembly building.
A senior official was quoted by NDTV saying-
“Due to an order issued by the Speaker in West Bengal, these security personnel are not allowed to accompany their protectees till the building.”
Suvendu Adhikari has Z category security
Earlier this month, Suvendu Adhikari, who has been the face of the BJP in West Bengal and the opposition to TMC, was able to pull a major upset and defeated Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram. It should be noted that in 2020, Suvendu received Z category security by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“Security arrangement for Suvendu Adhikari has been examined in this Ministry in consultation with Central Security Agencies and it has been decided to provide him ‘Z’ category CRPF security cover with the bulletproof vehicle in West Bengal,” read the statement.
What are different levels of security given by the Indian government?
There are 6 main categories of security cover that is extended by Indian govt to high-profile leaders and those the govt may deem to be facing life threats. These categories are:
1. X Category: In X category, a total of 6 security officers provide protection in 8-hour shift, meaning 2 security officers are always present to provide protection to protectee.
2. Y Category: 2 security officers and 1 armed guard is provided at the residence of the protectee. A total of 11 officers are made use of (5 providing static duty, 6 providing personal security) in Y level security.
3. Y+ Category: Similar to Y with 1-2 commandos actively providing security.
4. Z Category: 22 security officials involved. 2-8 armed guards at residence, 2 protective service officers round the clock and armed escort comprising of 1-3 personnel for road travel.
5. Z+ Category: Extension to Z category with additional bulletproof car.
6. SPG (Special Protection Group): Classified security category. Provides security for Prime Minister, his/her immediate family members.
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