Chhattisgarh CM’s son to get Z+ cover
The Union ministry of home affairs has sanctioned the highest – Z Plus category – security as a central government protectee for Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh’s son Abhishek Singh.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been asked to take over the security of Abhishek Singh, a member of Parliament from Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon constituency, ministry officials familiar with the development said.
“Necessary instructions have been issued in this regard following a review of the threat faced by Abhishek Singh,’’said a central security official on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.
“The security ring will be applicable only in Chhattisgarh, which is a left-wing extremism affected state and ... (where) elections (are due). Abhishek will be travelling a lot for campaigning,” the official added, referring to the Chhattisgarh assembly elections due later this year.
Abhishek Singh couldn’t be reached for comment.
Abhishek Singh currently has state police cover. His father has been under the CRPF’s Z Plus category protection since 2008.
Abhishek Singh will get a pilot as well as an escort vehicle, at least five personal security officials and a bullet-proof vehicle for travelling under the Z Plus category. The CRPF will assign around 30 guards for his security whether he is travelling or is at his residence.
The respective state police forces will take care of his security when Abhishek Singh travels outside Chhattisgarh.
Abhishek Singh will be CRPF’s 77th protectee. The force provides security to other prominent politicians, including Bhartiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah, Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Hansraj Ahir.
The Centre provides security to around 450 protectees under two categories – positional (by virtue of the post a person holds) and threat perception..
Central paramilitary forces like the CRPF, the Central Industrial Security Force, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the Border Security Force and National Security Guard’s commando force provide security to the protectees.