As Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s election rallies acquire a feverish pitch, the Intelligence Bureau has shot off a warning to all five poll-bound states that repeated breach of security at rallies being addressed by the Congress general secretary are posing a serious threat to him.
The IB missive has come amidst security concerns arising out of Rahul’s successive rallies in Uttar Pradesh.
In two recent rallies in Orai in Jalaun district and Banda, the easternmost district of Bundelkhand in Uttar Pradesh, black flags were shown by protesters against Rahul Gandhi which resulted in a clash between them and Congress supporters.
The VIP security division of the IB has written to the police chiefs of the states holding elections that such clashes can add additional threat element to a highly-threatened VIP as dangerous elements can take advantage of the situation and carry out their plans. The IB letter, sent a fortnight ago, cautions that in the view of such incidents and protest demonstrations, the norms and instructions laid down for the VIP protectee’s security must be followed in letter and spirit. The state police chiefs have been told to take precautionary measures and tackle such protests firmly yet tactfully.
The IB has also called upon senior police officials in these states to ensure complete coordination with the Central agencies. Among the measures being suggested includes deployment of plain clothes policemen in the vicinity of the rallies who can mix with the crowd and keep a comprehensive eye on the situation.
A very robust access control system must be put in place for all the ‘’public gatherings’’ of the protectee, it has said.
The concern over Rahul’s security has also come amidst intelligence inputs shared by the IB recently with the poll-bound-states of a threat from ISI-backed terror outfits to special protection group protectees. The intelligence inputs had pointed towards Pakistan’s ISI getting in touch with operatives in Nepal to try and target the VVIP and 12 Central Z-plus category protectees. The SPG protectees include UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh while Z-plus category protectees include senior BJP leader L.K. Advani.