Security has been stepped up outside Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s residence following fresh threat inputs, Delhi Police officials said. Gyanesh Kumar already has Z-plus security cover. However, additional personnel have been deployed around his residence amid the latest intelligence inputs and ongoing protests in New Delhi.
A senior police officer said local district police had also been instructed to strengthen security arrangements. “As protests are already underway in the New Delhi district, all security agencies have been directed to coordinate closely to prevent any untoward incident,” the officer said.
The move comes amid demonstrations by INDIA bloc leaders, led by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, over alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Opposition has called for Kumar’s resignation.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs has placed 221 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces, comprising around 23,000 personnel, at the disposal of the Delhi Police from October 8 to 12. The deployment is among the largest central force arrangements for maintaining law and order in the capital during a protest.
CRPF personnel are being brought in from Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh. The additional forces will assist the Delhi Police in managing protests, securing key government buildings and maintaining law and order in central Delhi.
Z-plus is the country’s second-highest security category, below Special Protection Group protection for the Prime Minister and immediate family members. It typically involves around 50 personnel deployed in shifts, along with enhanced security at the protectee’s residence and during movement.
