Centre Withdraws VIP Security of Panneerselvam, DMK Chief Stalin

The government took the decision following the threat assessment review based on Central security agencies report.

The Centre has withdrawn the VIP security of Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and Dravida Munnetra Kazhgam (DMK) leader MK Stalin.

(Photo altered by The Quint)

The Centre has withdrawn the VIP security of Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader MK Stalin, officials said on Thursday, 9 January.

Panneerselvam had “Y+” category security cover while Stalin had a “Z+” protection being provided by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) – a paramilitary force mandated to provide VIP security as well as internal security across the country along with hyper sensitive areas such as Maoist-affected states and Jammu and Kashmir.

The government took the decision to remove the security cover of the two politicians following the threat assessment review based on Central security agencies report and approved by the Union Home Ministry, said the officials.

The CRPF were providing security to the two leaders of Tamil Nadu and it is learnt that the paramilitary forces' cover of the two leaders were withdrawn after the state police took over the charge of providing protection to them.