In the wake of reports of intelligence failure after the attack on the convoy of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at Tirupati, the government today transferred A. Shivshankar, IGP (Intelligence), sources said here tonight. D. Durgaprasad (IPS), presently working as MD in APTRANSCO, has been made IG, Intelligence. The city North zone DCP M.V. Ramachandra Raju was made (SP) Chittoor in place of Navin Chand who was placed under suspension after the incident.Meanwhile, the state Home Department is thinking of according functional autonomy to the VIP security wing in the police department. If the VIP security wing is autonomous, it could assert itself and ensure compliance of district police in matters of security. At present, the VIP security wing has no powers over the local police, except requesting them to follow its guidelines. The government is also seriously considering transferring the responsibility of collection of intelligence in regard to VIP security to the VIP security wing. ‘‘We have asked the officials to ensure fool proof security to the Chief Minister and those who hold high risk portfolios. We have told them that the government is ready to give whatever they want whether it is funds, or powers or staff or equipment,’’ asked a senior minister.The Home Department is keen on giving NSG cover to the Chief Minister and the Home Minister. The Centre is ready to provide the cover if the state seeks it. The Chief Minister is likely to take a decision on this soon. Meanwhile, reports from Tirupati suggest that Naxalites of the outlawed People’s War (PW), who carried out the attack on Naidu, had been taking shelter in the jungles of Tirumala Hills for several months.According to highly placed sources, some Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) staff posted near the holy theerthams (water falls) inside the forest spotted Naxalites in March. The ultras threatened the staff members not to reveal their movements to anyone and also forced them to supply food.However, the staff brought the matter to the notice of higher officials of TTD who alerted the police. Anti-Naxalite Greyhounds teams were pressed into service and they combed the forests for about 10 days. The police were of the view that Tirupati and its surroundings were acting as ‘‘shelter zone’’ for the PW and it may not indulge in major activity in the shelter zone. ‘‘This confidence of the police turned out to be a myth,’’ the officer added.
