THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:Currently state deploys around 650 policemen as security personnel for 191 VIPs including ministers, IAS, IFS officers, judges, legal advisers and political leaders, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed the Assembly on Tuesday.
Responding to the notice for adjournment motion, Pinarayi said another 335 police personnel have been posted to provide security to police officers in the rank of SP and above.As per the directives from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the state government provides security to individuals, leaders and officers who face security threat from various corners like extremists, terrorists or fundamentalists. Also, high ranking officers are given security cover to ensure proper functioning, irrespective of the positions held.
Based on their security threat, the VIPs are divided by the state-central governments into various categories including - Z+, Z, Y+, Y, X, A and B. A total of 191 VIPs are being given security cover and about 650 policemen have been deployed for the purpose, the chief minister said.This include 173 officers for security of judges, 26 for legal advisors and counsels and 388 for ministers and other political leaders.
As per the MHA’s directives, based on security review, additional policemen are deployed for security in the residences and camp offices of VIPs for escort and pilot duties.