The Hindu : Other States / Madhya Pradesh News : Gaur scales down security

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Friday, May 13, 2005

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Other States - Madhya Pradesh

Gaur scales down security

Staff Correspondent

Threat perception of other VIPs to go under the scanner

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Babulal Gaur, has decided to scale down security cover for himself as well as for other VIPs. The Chief Minister, who had earlier this week passed instructions to the State Director General of Police for scaling down his security, made a public announcement in this regard at Gwalior on Thursday.

He said there was "an extra large" security cover around him which made it difficult for the public to interact with him. The same was also true for most of the other members of his Cabinet. The Chief Minister said there was a shortage of force for generalised security and hence police personnel, who were at present on VIP duty, should be sent to police stations to augment the force there.

Order implemented

According to a police headquarter spokesperson, the Chief Minister's order to scale down his own security as well as that of other VIPs was being implemented.

He said the Chief Minister's security has already been scaled down and there would be a fresh review of the threat perception with regard to the Ministers and others.

When asked for comments, another police officer, who did not want to be named, said he felt the CM's security should not be scaled down.

While the CM should have all security cover he needs, the same should be reviewed for those who are holding it as a status symbol. He further argued that the provisions in the Police Act also indicate that generalised security is the responsibility of the State whereas specialised security, based on the threat perception of individuals, has to be funded only by the individuals concerned.

He said the State Government needs to examine this provision of law and implement it in letter and spirit so that a lot of money and manpower could be rationally channelised for generalised security.

`No undue security'

The Principal Secretary, Home, Bhagirath Prasad, on his part said the State Government is of the firm view that undue security cover should not be provided to anyone just to bolster his or her image.

He said during the last round of Panchayat elections in the State, the security cover provided to many elected representatives had either been scaled down or completely withdrawn.

The Government had decided not to upgrade their security without an objective assessment of the threat perception.

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