Delhi: At least four past and present chief ministers may lose their NSG security cover, as per a media report.
According to a report in Hindustan Times, the move could be taken with the home ministry deciding to trim the list of politicians guarded by the elite commandos.
These commandos are trained for counter-terror and anti-hijacking operations.
Those who could lose NSG security cover are - Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav, former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad, former Tamil Nadu CM M Karunanidhi and former Assam CM Tarun Gogoi.
If this happens, then they will be protected by a paramilitary force, HT quoted multiple home ministry sources as saying.
The names for withdrawal of NSG cover was supposedly discussed last week in a meeting of the protection review group headed by home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi.
“The final approval from Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is awaited,” the Daily quoted a home ministry official as saying.
VIP security is provided under the categories of z plus, z, y and x categories.
While the Prime Minister, former PMs and their immediate family members are guarded by the Special Protection Group (SPG), the NSG protectees come in the Z plus category.
The NSG protectees are entitled to a bullet-proof vehicle, two escort vehicles and around 40 personnel each.
Meanwhile, a senior NSG official told HT that the practice of deputing counter-terror commandos as guards was 'very demoralising for them'.
On the other hand, Mos Home Kiren Rijiju was quoted as saying, “The home ministry does a periodic review of all protectees according to the latest threat assessment."
