The government has finalised the deadline to withdraw the elite National Security Guard (NSG) from giving protection to all VVIPs. In the next two months, all NSG commandos protecting VVIPs will be withdrawn.
According to a senior government official, the latest order has directed the CRPF to take over the security of all nine protectees, which include Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NDA key leader and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu in the next two months.
This will be the second significant step in VVIP security. Earlier, the Modi government withdrew the SPG from all protectees and made it a dedicated force to protect only the Prime Minister of India.
“In a recent order, the CRPF has been instructed to take over the security of nine protectees. The process of transferring security will need to be completed within the next two months,” a senior government official said.
It has been learned that all protectees have already been informed that the CRPF, which also provides security to Home Minister Amit Shah, the Gandhi family, and other top political leaders and businessmen, will take over their security.
While there is no specific timeline for the withdrawal of NSG commandos for each protectee, it is expected that the security of CM Yogi Adityanath and Rajnath Singh will be prioritised. Leaders such as former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and NC chief Farooq Abdullah also receive security from the NSG.
According to sources, the CRPF will soon assess the number of troops needed, other infrastructure requirements, and the threat perception for these VVIPs before taking over their security.
The National Security Guard (NSG), globally renowned for its zero-error record in special operations, is currently undergoing a process of manpower rationalisation directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Discussions regarding the removal of the VIP wing from the NSG have been ongoing. Multiple meetings have been held within the Union Home Ministry, leading to the decision to eliminate the VVIP security wing from the NSG. Sources indicate that this change will allow the NSG to focus on its primary objective: special operations. CAPF personnel will be utilised for other tasks that are yet to be finalised. Top sources familiar with the rationalisation process stated that the NSG will transition into a specialised operations force, prioritising anti-terror operations over providing security to VVIPs.
