Centre withdraws VIP security cover of TN Deputy CM OPS, Stalin

The Union government has removed the central security cover of Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and DMK chief MK Stalin, officials said on Thursday (January 9).

They said while Panneerselvam had a smaller “Y plus” cover of about five-six central paramilitary commandos, Stalin had a larger “Z plus” protection of about 18-20 armed personnel.

The security cover of the two politicians was taken off the central security list after a threat assessment review was carried out by central security agencies and approved by the Union home ministry, the officials said.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) commandos are protecting these two leaders of Tamil Nadu.

While Panneerselvam was provided the security cover in early 2017, Stalin was accorded the cover before him.

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Their central security cover will be formally taken off after the state police takes over their security task, the officials added.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was also accorded a “Z” category VIP cover by the Centre recently.

Reacting to the removal of the VIP security cover of party chief Stalin by the Centre, DMK MP and Stalin’s sister Kanimozhi said she “strongly condemned” the withdrawal of security of her brother.

Stalin had “Z plus” protection of about 18-20 armed personnel drawn from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Kanimozhi said, “crores of cadres and their love will serve as a fortification for Stalin, who has continuously been raising his voice for Tamils”.

திமுக தலைவர் அண்ணன் தளபதி அவர்களுக்கு வழங்கப்பட்டு வந்த Z+பிரிவு பாதுகாப்பை மத்திய அரசு திரும்பப் பெற்றதற்கு கடும் கண்டனத்தை தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன். தமிழினத்துக்காக தொடர்ந்து குரல் கொடுத்து வரும் தளபதி அவர்களுக்கு கோடிக்கணக்கான தொண்டர்களும்,அவர்களது அன்புமே அரணாக அமையும்#CRPF

— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) January 9, 2020

(With inputs from agencies.)