Chennai: Former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam was on Monday accorded the much-hyped ‘Y’ category security cover by the Union Home Ministry. The cover comes at a time when his faction has opened channels for merger talks impressing upon the Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami camp to ostracise jailed AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala and her clan.
The ‘Y’ category cover has come after a delegation of leaders owing allegiance to the rebel AIADMK leader met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and demanded Central security for him. About three weeks ago, the MHA accorded in-principle sanction of the security cover following a detailed report carrying the studies and surveys of its agencies as well as inputs from the TN Police. The decision was taken in concurrence with the State Police.
Sources in the Home Ministry had earlier stated that Mr Panneerselvam will get ‘Y’ security cover, which will be provided by personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The ‘Y’ category entails 11 personnel standing guard and also includes two Personal Security Officers (PSOs) round-the-clock. The sources said the security cover was provided after an assessment by the agencies concerned on the threat perception to the former CM. Panneerselvam, who led the rebellion against Sasikala on February 7, currently has only one PSO from Tamil Nadu police.
The move by the Home Ministry comes weeks after a delegation led by AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP, V. Maitreyan met Rajnath and demanded that Mr Panneerselvam be given security since he faces threats to his life after he rebelled against the ruling AIADMK leadership. Central security cover is provided depending on the level of threat perception to the person and they are classified into four main levels — X, Y, Z and Z+ category.
