Ensure proper security to Congress prog: Centre to C'garh govt

As Congress is planning to restart its political programmes in Chhattisgarh, the Centre has directed the state government to provide foolproof security to political leaders, including VVIPs and VIPs, to foil repeat attempts of Maoists to target them.
The Home Ministry conveyed to Chhattisgarh government that foolproof security measures should be put in place, especially in vulnerable areas like Bastar division, to prevent any untoward incident and clear-cut written instructions should be given to police to provide security to these programmes.
"Special security arrangements may be put in place for VVIPs/VIPs who will attend these programmes depending on threat assessment by the state intelligence department. Wherever necessary, the required scale of security may be enhanced," the Home Ministry advisory said.

This came a month after Maoists had ambushed a convoy of Congress leaders at Jeeram Ghatti, killing 27 people including PCC chief Nand Kumar Patel, former Minister Mahendra Karma and injuring 37 others, including former Union Minister V C Shukla. Shukla later succumbed to his injuries in a hospital in Gurgaon.
Congress is organising a 'Shraddhanjali sabha' in Bastar, 'Kalash Yatras' in all 90 assembly constituencies from July 9 and re-commence 'Parivartan Yatra' from August 20.
The Home Ministry said Chhattisgarh government may also deploy central paramilitary forces to provide security to all political programmes in the state besides ensuring proper coordination to improve the quality of security provided.

"The nodal officer appointed by the state government to provide security to political programmes after the Jiramghati incident may hold coordination meetings with the office bearers of the political party concerned to prepare a comprehensive security scheme," the advisory said.