New Delhi: The central government has enhanced the security arrangements for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, upgrading his protection from Z-plus to Advanced Security Layer (ASL), a level on par with the security provided to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Sources indicate that the Ministry of Home Affairs finalised the decision to increase Bhagwat’s security a few days ago. Until now, he had been receiving Z-plus security, which involved protection by a specialised team of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) commandos.
The move to boost Bhagwat’s security comes after the Home Ministry identified lapses in his protection in several states. Concerns about his safety were raised following intelligence inputs suggesting he could be a target for anti-India organisations. In light of these threats, the Home Ministry decided to elevate his security to the ASL level. All states and union territories have been informed about the enhanced security protocols, which now require the CISF to have a security team in place at any location Bhagwat is scheduled to visit.
ASL security involves a multi-agency approach where local authorities, including district administration, police, health, and other departments, conduct a thorough security inspection of any venue Bhagwat is set to attend. A site can only be cleared for his visit after receiving a “green signal” from the team.
Mohan Bhagwat has had Z-plus security since June 2015, which involved a team of 55 CISF commandos providing 24-hour protection. Before this, in 2012, the UPA government had ordered Z-plus security for Bhagwat, but the CISF initially expressed its inability to provide the required personnel and vehicles due to shortages. At that time, Sushilkumar Shinde was serving as the Home Minister.
Z-plus security is among the highest security arrangements in India, with 55 commandos deployed for round-the-clock protection. These commandos, from the National Security Guard (NSG), are highly trained to neutralise threats instantaneously. Their training is rigorous, and they are selected from the central paramilitary forces for their elite skills.
With the recent upgrade to ASL, Bhagwat’s security is now aligned with the highest standards, reflecting the perceived threat level and the government’s commitment to ensuring his safety.
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