Modi govt approves CRPF security to Kharge; top cover Z-Plus for him

India’s premier protection force Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will now guard Leader of Opposition and Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge , who remains one of the strong contenders for PM candidate of INDIA alliance, during his round-the-clock across-India movement as a Z-plus category protectee.

| Updated: 22 February, 2024 6:37 pm IST

NEW DELHI: India’s premier protection force Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will now guard Leader of Opposition and Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge , who remains one of the strong contenders for PM candidate of INDIA alliance, during his round-the-clock across-India movement.

Kharge, who has been a Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka since 2020 and a vocal critic of Modi government on farm laws, handling of farmers, electoral bonds that been now declared unlawful by the Supreme Court as well has other policies, will now be a Z-Plus category protectee.

According to its charter, CRPF provides security to the premises staff along with the security of property and establishments along with handling of riots, left wing extremism and war time efforts in conflict regions. But CRPF also provides security to more than 200 protected persons classified as Z Plus, Z, X, Y.

Z+ category is usually a security detail of 55 personnel, including 10+ NSG commandos and police personnel.

Kharge, whose son Priyank is a sitting minister in Karnataka government, has often been accused of pilloring right wing outfits and accused of demeaning Santana.

Over the past five years, it’s been a debate to allow handing over the security of all VIP protectees to CISF, following recommendation of Parliamentary committee. At the moment, other agencies like CRPF and ITBP handle them.

On an average, VIP security has four categories — Z-plus (38 personnel), Z (24 personnel), Y (11 personnel) and X (two personnel).

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