NEW DELHI: The home ministry has moved to upgrade the security of chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar in view of alleged threats from pro-Khalistan elements based abroad. Sources indicated that that CRPF is likely to take charge of his security, which will “be Z-category level” and shall be provided to him on an all-India basis.
TOI has learnt that the threats were made through some pre-recorded calls to numbers based in India.These calls had a pro-Khalistan leader, known for regularly making such threats via internet-based voice calls and social media, threatening to disrupt the ongoing polls in India, in which he is said to have named the CEC.
Sources said CRPF was “informally sounded” by the home ministry to provide Z-category protection to Kumar. Currently, Kumar is protected by the Delhi police but his detail does not include a pilot or escort vehicle. Z-category security would entail an escort vehicle and round-the-clock protection by CRPF commandos, apart from static security at his residence and Nirvachan Sadan.
TOI has learnt that the threats were made through some pre-recorded calls to numbers based in India.These calls had a pro-Khalistan leader, known for regularly making such threats via internet-based voice calls and social media, threatening to disrupt the ongoing polls in India, in which he is said to have named the CEC.
Sources said CRPF was “informally sounded” by the home ministry to provide Z-category protection to Kumar. Currently, Kumar is protected by the Delhi police but his detail does not include a pilot or escort vehicle. Z-category security would entail an escort vehicle and round-the-clock protection by CRPF commandos, apart from static security at his residence and Nirvachan Sadan.