Security further pruned for VIPs

The personnel withdrawn from security details will be given three months training and then deployed to police stations,traffic wing and law and order duties.

A senior officer said,“The government is examining threat perception to all those who had been provided security and it is being withdrawn where it is no longer required,including for businessmen and former MLAs.” More than 125 escort vehicles have also been withdrawn.

Residential guards will now be only stationed at the residences of DGP,ADGPs and IGPs at the headquarters’ and of Police Commissioners,IGP (Zones),DIG (Ranges) and SSPs in the field – these personnel will also be the only police officers allowed to have a red-light vehicle. All other senior police officers will have two PSOs around the clock.

“Red lights on vehicles of religious leaders has also been withdrawn. Only the head garanthi Akal Takht,SGPC President and jathedars of the five takhts will be allowed red lights,” said an officer.

Officers of the rank ADC,SDM,tehsildar,DSP,SHOs,Assistant Excise Commissioners and other officers besides operational vehicles of different departments will have blue lights. Final approval from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is awaited.

Permission of red lights will now be given by the Punjab government instead of Punjab Police.