Indian PM gets security boost

In the backdrop of an "all-time high" threat perception to Indian Prime Minister ahead of general elections, the federal Home Ministry has issued fresh security guidelines to states as per which not even ministers and officers will be allowed to come too close to the Prime Minister unless cleared by his Special Protection Group (SPG).

 The Home Ministry said there has been an "all-time high" threat to the Prime Minister and he is the "most valuable target" in the run-up to the 2019 general elections, officials privy to the development said.

No one, not even ministers and officers, should be allowed to come too close to the PM unless cleared by his special security, the Home Ministry communication said, citing an "unknown threat" to Modi.

The SPG  is believed to have advised Modi to cut down on road shows which invite a bigger threat in the run up to the 2019 parliamentary polls and instead address public rallies which are easier to manage.

During a visit to Visva Bharati University in West Bengal in May, a man was able to break through six layers of security to touch the PM's feet, sending the security agencies into a tizzy. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina was also on the dais at that time.