The security breach involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sparked outrage. The intensification of the uproar is warranted because the Prime Minister's convoy was stalled on the flyover for 20 minutes, only a short distance from Pakistan's border. The danger of accidents increased in such a setting. PM Modi then returned after canceling the gathering in Firozpur. 'Thanks to your CM, I was able to return alive to the airport,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Punjab government officials at Bathinda airport.
The Special Protection Group is in charge of the Prime Minister's protection (SPG). When the Prime Minister is on a state visit, however, the state police is also in charge. The Chief Minister, Home Minister, DGP, and Chief Secretary have all been informed about the Prime Minister's visit, according to an SPG official. The SSP and DM are also informed about the security plan. In the event of an emergency, a contingency plan is also established. SSPs are also part of the PM's convoy, he said, and an alternate route is also prepared for him to come in Rally.
SPG Security is the world's best security forces given to PM of the country and PM need them for their security. Former Prime Ministers and their close family used to have access to SPG's security arrangements. However, the SPG Act has changed two years ago. Following that, only the current Prime Minister has access to this security system. SPG's security system is supposed to be quite tight, however, the number of soldiers assigned to it is unknown. Due to the possibility of danger, this figure continues to fluctuate. The ACPG fleet also includes vehicles and airplanes.
The SPG's major purpose is to ensure that wherever the Prime Minister goes, he takes all required precautions to ensure his safety. It doesn't matter if it's a domestic or international tour. This comprises anti-sabotage checks, facility cleanliness, and personal security information, among other things. The SPG is in charge of establishing the number of persons who will meet with the Prime Minister, keeping accurate information about the program, answer the Prime Minister's phone calls, planning his schedule, and determining the cars for him. The PM is guarded by the SPG, who forms numerous security circles around him.
The members of this security circle's mission are to defend the Prime Minister and get him out in the event of an assault. That is their sole purpose. The SPG counter-assault team, on the other hand, normally covers the second circle. Their mission is to provide covering firepower for the PM's protection. In this case, the third circle is also useful. Aside from SPG, NSG, and IAF are also featured. In the last circle, however, the SPG is typically joined by the local police force. Their major job is to get the crowd going.
1. The SPG commando wears a special uniform at all times. They are outfitted with FNF-Assault in these outfits. In addition, they have a fully automatic weapon.
2. To defend themselves, SPG commandos are donning elbow pads and new guards.
3. These commandos' shoes are of exceptional quality, assisting them in walking and preventing them from slipping.
4. Their gloves are extremely durable and protect them from any type of hand harm.
5. SPG commandos' goggles are unique in that they aid in keeping an eye on civilians as well as assisting them in combat.
6. SPG personnel are outfitted in a high-quality protective vest made of Level-3 Kevlar. It weighs 2.2 kilograms and can withstand a 7.62 caliber bullet fired from a distance of ten meters by an AK 47.
7. To communicate with their comrades, these commandos utilize earplugs or walkie-talkies.
8. Security commandos of the SPG carry a unique briefcase. It's a bulletproof shield that looks like a briefcase. It opens and serves as a shield.
SPG's budget is continually expanding. When the Modi government took office in 2014-15, SPG's budget was Rs 289 crore. In 2015-16, this climbed to Rs 330 crore. SPG's budget for 2019-20 is Rs 540.16 crore. Apart from Prime Minister Modi, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi were also protected by the SPG at the time. That is, a total of Rs 135 crore was spent on each one's protection in a single year. SPG's budget for the fiscal year 2021-22 was Rs 429.05 crore. SPG security is currently solely available to Prime Minister Modi. That is, their security costs 1.17 crores per day, 4.90 lakhs per hour, and Rs 8,160 every minute.
SPG commandos have four tiers of security. The SPG squad is responsible for security on the first level. Under the Prime Minister's protection, 24 SPG commandos are stationed. An FNF-2000 assault weapon is carried by the commandos. Guns such as semi-automatic pistols and other advanced weapons.
Candidates that come to SPG have already served in the Special Forces and have relevant expertise. Even after that, the chosen applicants must go through world-class training. This is the same training that Secret Service agents in the United States receive. The jawans are made fit, attentive, and technologically correct as a result of this. Each SPG commander is a One Man Army, as they are under the direction of the country's Prime Minister. After that, they will be monitored for three months. There will also be a weekly exam. Those who fail probation are given another chance in the following batch, and if they still fail, they are sent back to their parent unit. Members of the SPG are rotated regularly.
Indira Gandhi was assassinated on 31 October 1984. After this, the SPG Act was passed in Parliament in 1988 and the SPG was formed. Even at that time, there was a provision to provide security to the current Prime Minister only. No former prime ministers were given this high-class security.
This was the reason that in 1989, the SPG cover of Rajiv Gandhi was removed by the VP Singh government. Rajiv Gandhi was also assassinated in 1991. After this, the SPG Act was amended. Provision was made that former prime ministers and their families would get SPG protection for 10 years after they step down from office.
In 2003, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee administration changed the law once more. The former prime minister will only be covered by SPG for one year after leaving office, according to the new statute. The SPG cover should have been revoked a year after Manmohan Singh resigned as Prime Minister, according to the law. After four years, however, the government lifted the security. The Modi government revised the law again after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, adding a stipulation that only the Prime Minister will be protected by the SPG.
The Prime Minister is protected with a bullet-proof vehicle. In the convoy, there are two armored vehicles. There are ambulances and jammers in addition to the 9 high-profile vehicles. In PM's convoy, there is also a decoy car. The convoy is made up of about 100 soldiers.