Andhra Pradesh   

More bullet-proof vehicles for VIPs

Special Correspondent

State Government decides to buy 40 to 50 more such vehicles

HYDERABAD: In view of the increased security risks following the ban imposed on naxalites, the Andhra Pradesh Government will purchase 40 to 50 more bullet-proof vehicles to ensure safe movement of VIPs in the vulnerable areas.

A decision to this effect was taken at a review meeting convened by Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy here on Friday with Home Minister K. Jana Reddy the Chief Secretary Mohan Kanda, the Director-General of Police Swaranjit Sen, the Additional DGP (Intelligence) K. Aravinda Rao, and others.

The meeting decided to maintain a pool of bullet-proof vehicles and to position them at difference places in the State as a long-term measure for temporary use by VIPs during visits to the interior areas. Some of these vehicles could even be allotted permanently to a Minister or other leaders.

The Home Minister told reporters that there was no shortage of bullet-proof jackets. Several VIPs were already using them and the Government would supply the jackets to leaders who wanted them, subject to verification of the threat perception by the police.

More applications

Applications have been pouring in from MLAs, MPs and others, especially those belonging to Telangana region seeking protection. These leaders will be provided with additional gunmen on the basis of recommendations of the police. It was decided to instruct the VIPs not to visit the vulnerable areas unless cleared by the SP/DSP of the district concerned.

Sources told The Hindu that the acquisition of the new bullet- proof vehicles would take a long time. There are three levels of proofing to withstand different types of weapons. The Level-3 vehicles, in particular, can withstand fire from AK-47, Self-Loading Rifles and pistols at close range.

They said since the factory took nearly a year to deliver the cars after proofing, thirty vehicles had been fabricated at private units in Delhi and Hyderabad last year. These included the Tata Safari vehicles of the Chief Minister and the Home Minister.

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