Home Ministry reviews security threat of VIPs

New Delhi, Dec 22 (UNI) A high level meeting was held today to review security threat perception of VIPs in view of the reports of heightened threat to Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

The timing of the meeting, chaired by Home Secretary V K Duggal, was significant in view of media reports about a specific threat perception to Ms Gandhi. The Home Ministry has written to the Special Protection Group, guarding the UPA Chairperson, about threat of an attack on her by an al-Qaeda-backed terrorist outfit.

However, the ministry sources said that the meeting was held in view of the Republic Day, some other festivals and the upcoming assembly elections in four states. On the basis of the threat assessment received, an advisory was issued to all concerned to be vigilant and strengthen security arrangements for protectees in order to avoid any untoward incident.

They said that such advisories are issued regularly and need not give rise to inaccurate or speculative news reporting. The ministry clarified that MHA carries out periodic threat assessment for all its protectees.

According to media reports, Ms Vandana Kini, head of VIP security in the home ministry, has written a letter to SPG chief B V Wanchoo and Chief Secretaries of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on Wednesday mentioning the threat.

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