SPG force to cover Gandhis during their foreign trips

According to the fresh guidelines issued by the Cabinet Secretariat, it is mandatory for the Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel to accompany Gandhis during their foreign trips as well.

New Delhi:The Central government has now made it mandatory for the Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel to accompany Gandhis during their foreign trips as well. Citing 'security reasons' the centre issued fresh guidelines related to the security cover given to Gandhis.

On the contrary, Congress has hit out at the move, describing it as ‘surveillance’.

According to sources, Rahul Gandhi will, however, comply by the order.

"Rahul Gandhi is a law-abiding citizen. He has always complied with set norms. If the SPG rules are changed for better security cover, Rahul Gandhi will follow the new guidelines. It’s not always possible to travel with the entire entourage. Rahul, in the past, has taken two-three SPG personnel along while travelling abroad."

As per the new guidelines issued by the Cabinet Secretariat, Gandhis will have to submit every minute detail of their foreign trips.

The SPG force guards the country's most protected politicians. In August, the government withdrew the SPG security cover of former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

Currently, the SPG guards only four people - Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

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