RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat gets 'Z+' VVIP security cover

NEW DELHI: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will finally get a countrywide Z-plus security cover of 60 commandos from the CISF, replacing the personnel of the Maharashtra Police which was giving him the same level of security so far.

The UPA government, when Sushil Kumar Shinde was the home minister, had ordered a Z-plus security cover for Bhagwat on October 17, 2012, but the Central Industrial Security Force had then expressed its inability to take up the job, citing lack of manpower and vehicles.

CISF had then requested the Centre to continue with the arrangement of Maharashtra Police providing 98 policemen for his security. “CISF has now decided to take over the security and the modalities are being worked on… The new government had impressed upon CISF that the matter cannot be delayed further,” a senior home ministry official said.

Bhagwat has a high threat perception from various Islamic and jehadi terror groups, and security of the RSS headquarters in Nagpur has also been stepped up. The vehicles in his convoy will be changed as per the norms set for a central protectee under Z-plus cover, which includes bullet-proof cars, CISF officials said.