New Delhi: The Centre has accorded 'Z-plus' category armed security cover to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in view of possible threats to him emanating from the country and abroad, official sources said here.
The 49-year-old will be secured by the VIP protection squad of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), they said. The top-category 'Z-plus' cover will be provided to Mann all across India and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recently accorded the sanction for this, the sources said. They said the CRPF will soon take over the task and a team of 55 armed personnel has been earmarked for it. The latest security cover, apart from the Punjab Police protection, will secure the chief minister's house and immediate family members too, the sources said.
Such a security cover for Mann was recommended by the central intelligence and security agencies during the preparation of a 'threat perception analysis' report of the chief minister in the wake of Khalistani activities in the border state, they said.
Earlier, the Centre has provided 'Z+' category armed Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) security cover to former People's Democratic Party leader and Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, top government sources said.The security was accorded by the Ministry of Home Affairs following a recent security review meeting based on an Intelligence Bureau threat analysis.
Businessman-turned-politician and former minister Altaf Bukhari (65) will be provided 'Z+' category security round the clock in Jammu and Kashmir, the sources told media. Bukhari floated the J&K Apni Party (JKAP) as an alternative to the regional parties such as the National Conference (NC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), of which he was once a member. (with agency Inputs)
