Sonia expresses gratitude to SPG for looking after her family's security

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday wrote a letter to Special Protection Group (SPG) chief Arun Sinha and appreciated the cover for looking after her family members.

The government has withdrawn the SPG security cover of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

"Ever since our security was put in the hands of the SPG, my family and I have felt a great sense of reassurance and confidence that we are in the best possible hands. Every day, for the last 28 years, we have experienced the unfailing high professionalism, dedication to duty and sincerity with which the SPG protect us," read Sonia's letter.

"The SPG is an outstanding force, its members imbued with courage and patriotism in every task they are given. On behalf of my whole family, I would like to express our deep appreciation and gratitude to the SPG for looking after our security and wellbeing with such dedication, discretion, and personal care," it said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reviewed the security cover of three Congress leaders and later took the decision to withdraw their SPG security cover.

The Central government has now decided to provide them with Z plus security cover. The personnel of the CRPF personnel will now guard the Gandhi family.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the only person, who will be under the SPG protection.

After the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, the SPG Act was amended to provide security to former Prime Ministers and their immediate families for a period of 10 years from the date on which they ceased to hold office.