State seeks Z+ security for CM, Bittu

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 24

In the wake of inputs provided by various intelligence agencies and open threats by pro-Khalistan elements, the state government has written to the Centre to upgrade the security cover of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and Ludhiana MP Ravneet Bittu.

With Amarinder taking a stand against Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan and Bittu criticising the elements supporting Sajjan, videos of threats to the two prominent Congress leaders by pro-Khalistan elements, purportedly from Canada, are being circulated on the social media.

Sources said the matter had already been taken up with the central intelligence agencies. Till the time the CM is provided Z plus security cover by central forces, necessary precautions were being taken.

Contrary to the Z plus security cover enjoyed by former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir Badal, Amarinder is relying on the state police and has already reduced the number of policemen and vehicles in his security cover as part of the government’s move to shun the VIP culture.

After the threats, the central agencies have already taken up the matter with the higher authorities. Besides, the agencies have also written for upgrading the security cover of Bittu, the grandson of late CM Beant Singh.

As a precautionary measure, a bulletproof Land Cruiser has been provided to Bittu from the CM’s fleet. Congress candidate from Maur Harminder Jassi, who lost the Vidhan Sabha elections, has also been provided with a bulletproof vehicle.