Security for VIPs/VVIPS

Common man in India is always under threat, either due to terrorists from out-side the country or political terrorists from inside the country. No security is provided for him, even if it is there, it is only on paper. The so-called VIPs or VVIPs s are: politicians, their relatives, film personalities, “goonda” elements, senior cops, judges, etc, etc. The security cover is given based on threat perception. The risk perception is decided by some “well-planned” threatening email or phone call or pre-fabricated attacks. There are different category types, X, Y and Z. Everyone is trying to get the Z or Zplus category, the highest type, where the VIP is protected by 55-250 security personnel! It has become a status symbol! At whose cost? Crores and Crores of tax payer’s money is spent on these fellows. One can watch politicians of the type Mayawati surrounded by an entourage of gun-wielding commandos.

There is an urgent need to review the necessity of the cover and the type. Only the minimum type of cover should be provided, that too with only lathis or condemned guns used by the policemen in Mumbai during the terror attacks. Anyway, the politicians are not seen around during the crisis of the kind witnessed recently in Mumbai. So what is need of providing them security cover? Only, the national leaders like Prime Minister and President should be made eligible for Zplus. Where ever possible, the protected should be made to pay, fully or partly, for the expenses incurred. The laws applicable to the terrorists should be made applicable to the political terrorism also. No security cover should be provided by the government for persons involved in political terrorism. Citizens need commandos to protect national properties and the common man.