Four RSS men get VIP security cover from Union government

New Delhi: Four RSS functionaries in poll- bound Punjab have been accorded a VIP security cover of paramilitary commandos by the Union government.

Officials said the decision to accord an 'X' category security cover of CISF personnel was taken after central security agencies assessed that there was a threat to these leaders in view of an attack on Jalandhar-based Sangh leader Jagdish Gagneja early this year.

The four Rashtriya Sawayamsevak Sangh leaders are Rameshwar Dass (Ludhiana), Pramod Ji (Amritsar), Ramgopal Ji (Jalandhar) and Kuldeep Ji Bhagat (Jalandhar).

Sources said four separate Central Industrial Security Force teams will soon take over the task and a squad will be dispatched to Punjab.

Under the 'X' category, about 5-6 armed commandos are deployed with each VIP, they said.

A similar cover was recently accorded to a senior journalist of a TV news channel.

The CISF has over 70 VIPs, including the new protectees, under it.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval are among prominent VIPs protected by the CISF, tasked primarily to secure major civil airports and vital installations in the country.

Elections to Punjab assembly are expected to be held in February-March next year along with four other states of Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur.