Governor's Z-Plus security is only on paper

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Governor is supposed to get the Z-plus security which is the highest security in the country rigth after SPG security. However, it is only in the documents in the state. According to the Union Home Ministry's Blue Book, the governor should be provided 55 security personnel, including commandos and 25 armed forces personnel for trips and functions. The government has not provided even half of this. Blue-book security is the responsibility of the state government. The instructions should be implemented by the DGP and the security measures should be taken care of by the police.

The Governor has been saying for a long time that he has not received vehicles and personnel as per the Z-Plus category. Last week, SFI members broke through the police cordon in Raj Bhavan, which is a special security zone. When there were protests over his support for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the Center had suggested beefing up the governor's security.

It is up to the police and intelligence to ensure that the route taken by the Governor's motorcade is secure. A case can be filed under the Official Secrets Act if the security scheme of VIPs is leaked.

Security of the Governor

• 8 vehicles including 3 police vehicles in convoy in the order of Advance Pilot, Regular Pilot, Governor's Benz Car, Raj Bhavan's Car, Local Police Patrol, Governor's Spare Vehicle, Ambulance and Fire Force.
• ADCs Lt Commander Manoj Kumar (Navy) and SP Dr Arul RB Krishna (Police) are in charge of security. One of them will be in the front seat of the car.
• 56 policemen under the leadership of Assistant Commandant Rasheed at the gate of Raj Bhavan.

Chief Minister's Z-Plus Security

• 40 policemen including 28 commandos. 2 pilots, 10 men in two commando vehicles, eight men in a rapid inspection team, striker force, bomb-dog squads, pilot, escorts and spare car.
• When CM is going to events there will be 40 policemen including Rapid Action Force, SISF, Local SP, Special Branch, Intelligence personnel, 5 DYSPs and SHOs of nearby stations. With this, there will be 16 cars in the convoy in addition to the fireforce ambulance.
• People should stay 200 meters away. All roads leading to the convoy will be closed. Police on both sides. No parking allowed. The meeting place will be under police control two hours before the event.
• 500 police including armed battalions, local police, SISF and Rapid Action Force at Cliffhouse and Secretariat. Secretariat and Cliffhouse Special Security Areas.

Ananda Bose with CRPF

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, a Malayali, is provided Z-Plus security by the CRPF. He will be accompanied by 30 soldiers across the country and he travels in a bulletproof car.