PM Modi under all-time high threat, warns Union Home Ministry; Beefs up security
New Delhi, Jun 26 (IBNS): Days after intelligence inputs claimed about Maoists targetting Narendra Modi for assassination, the Union Home Ministry has sounded a warning to states about an "all-time high" threat to the Prime Minister, barring all from coming close to him, NDTV reports.
According to the report, the Home Ministry has put out rules in which no one can come too close to PM Modi, not even ministers and officers, if not cleared by his special security.
The home ministry has written to all state police chiefs about an "unknown threat" to the PM.
PM Modi "is the most valuable target in the run-up to the 2019 general elections," the National Security Council has told various agencies tasked with the Prime Minister's safety.
"The threat always has been there but after this Naxal threat we have made each agency aware of the new threats to the PM," a senior officer told NDTV.
He referred to the recent claim made by the Pune police that a plot to assassinate PM Modi in a "Rajiv Gandhi-type incident" during one of his roadshows had been revealed in a letter seized from a suspected Maoist.
NDTV quoted its sources as saying that PM Modi, who is the main campaigner for the ruling BJP for state elections and the 2019 polls, has been advised to reduce the number of road shows as a precautionary measure.
To ensure a foolproof security for Modi, even his ministers and officers are likely to be screened by the Special Protection Group (SPG), which is in charge of protecting the Prime Minister.
"We have briefed our personnel about the new assessments and have given them a new set of rules to be followed," an officer has been quoted as saying.
"Special instructions have been given to the close protection team (CPT) around the PM. No one can be in close proximity of the PM if not needed," he adds. This team always moves with the Prime Minister.
The report quoted sources as saying that the number of tactical team commandos travelling with the PM will be increased.
The home ministry has also marked areas of concern and has asked Maoist-hit states to be more careful. "The PM travels to Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal even Punjab.
Earlier this month, Pune police told a court that plans to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a "Rajiv Gandhi-like incident" have been revealed in a letter seized from a suspected Maoist.
The letter talked about the need for Rs. 8 crores to procure M-4 rifle and four lakh rounds, public prosecutor Ujjwala Pawar told the sessions court.
The letter was reportedly found from the home of Delhi-based activist Rona Wilson, who along with four others- Dalit activist Sudhir Dhawale, lawyer Surendra Gadling, activists Mahesh Raut and Shoma Sen was arrested in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon caste violence in January.
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