NEW DELHI: Central government officials on Thursday said full and foolproof security arrangements, in line with the laid-down norms, were made for Delhi leg of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, but the protectee himself violated the security protocols.
They added that the matter of flouting of security guidelines by Rahul would be taken up separately with the concerned authorities.
Sources added that Rahul Gandhi, who has Z-plus cover by the CRPF, had violated security protocols on 113 occasions since 2020, which were duly communicated.
On Wednesday, the Congress had written to home minister Amit Shah alleging security breaches during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra here.
A government official however said that for the Delhi leg of Bharat Jodo Padyatra on December 24, 2022, advance security liaison meeting involving all stakeholders was conducted on 22.12.022. He added that all security guidelines had been strictly followed and Delhi Police had informed that sufficient deployment of security personnel was made.
“Security arrangements made for the protectee work fine when the protectee himself adheres to the laid-down security guidelines. However, on several occasions violations of laid down guidelines on the part of Rahul Gandhi have been observed and this fact has been communicated to him from time to time. For instance, since 2020, there have been 113 violations observed and duly communicated. It may further be mentioned that during the Delhi leg of Bharat Jodo Yatra, the protectee has violated security guidelines and CRPF will be taking up this matter separately,” said an official.
For visits of a Z-plus Central protectee, the required security arrangements are made by the para-military force in charge (CRPF in Rahul’s case) in coordination with state police and security agencies, as per the guidelines. Advisories based on threat assessment are by the MHA to all stakeholders concerned including the state governments. Advance Security Liaison (ASL) is also undertaken for every visit.
They added that the matter of flouting of security guidelines by Rahul would be taken up separately with the concerned authorities.
Sources added that Rahul Gandhi, who has Z-plus cover by the CRPF, had violated security protocols on 113 occasions since 2020, which were duly communicated.
On Wednesday, the Congress had written to home minister Amit Shah alleging security breaches during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra here.
A government official however said that for the Delhi leg of Bharat Jodo Padyatra on December 24, 2022, advance security liaison meeting involving all stakeholders was conducted on 22.12.022. He added that all security guidelines had been strictly followed and Delhi Police had informed that sufficient deployment of security personnel was made.
“Security arrangements made for the protectee work fine when the protectee himself adheres to the laid-down security guidelines. However, on several occasions violations of laid down guidelines on the part of Rahul Gandhi have been observed and this fact has been communicated to him from time to time. For instance, since 2020, there have been 113 violations observed and duly communicated. It may further be mentioned that during the Delhi leg of Bharat Jodo Yatra, the protectee has violated security guidelines and CRPF will be taking up this matter separately,” said an official.
For visits of a Z-plus Central protectee, the required security arrangements are made by the para-military force in charge (CRPF in Rahul’s case) in coordination with state police and security agencies, as per the guidelines. Advisories based on threat assessment are by the MHA to all stakeholders concerned including the state governments. Advance Security Liaison (ASL) is also undertaken for every visit.