User:Deepak G Goswami/VIP Security Wing (CRPF)

The VIP Security Wing is a special wing of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) dedicated to provide security cover to very important persons.

History
The force is involved in providing security covers to different VIPs of the country since 2014 when the service commenced operating under the intelligence wing of the force. In 2019, the CRPF proposed the Ministry of Home Affairs to establish a separate VIP security wing. It sent a proposal to the ministry requesting permission to set up a separate headquarters, a shooting range and a training centre for its VIP Security Wing. However, the ministry asked the force to start the wing with its existing resources including the manpower. In pursuance of the directions of the ministry, the CRPF founded the wing in May 2020 with its ad-hoc headquarters at CRPF Directorate in Rama Krishna Puram, New Delhi.

Structure
The wing is headed by an Inspector General-rank officer, termed as the Inspector General (VIP Security) with an acronym of IG (VIP Security). Earlier the administration and operation of the VIP security service of the force was headed by the Inspector General (Intelligence). The IG (VIP Security) exercises all the requisite statutory and financial powers related to the wing. A deputy inspector general-rank officer assists the Inspector General. The wing works under the supervision of the Additional Director General (Headquarters and Operations) Directorate.

Insignia
The insignia of the VIP Security Wing carries a garuda, a sword and a shield with the motto 'Always, Aware, Alert'. It was released by the Home Minister Amit Shah on 29 December 2019 in a ceremony where he laid the foundation for constructing a new CRPF headquarters building.

Security cover
The security cover of the force is categorised into five broad categories:


 * X category – usually involves one personnel acting as gunman protecting an individual.
 * Y category – entails one gunman for mobile security with another deployed at residence.
 * Y+ category – two gunmen providing security when an individual is in movement and one personnel for static security at individual's residence.
 * Z category – six gunmen remains with a protectee for mobile security and two guards at residence.
 * Z+ category – ten security personnel for mobile security and two for residence.

Protectees
Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut, who is a native of Himachal Pradesh, was accorded Y-plus category security cover in September 2020 when she expressed fear for her life due to her disagreement with the Government of Maharashtra regarding handling of the investigation of death of Sushant Singh Rajput and debate of nepotism in the Hindi film industry. Her father had requested the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh to facilitate protection to his daughter citing "harassment" she was receiving from some politicians, mainly of Shiv Sena, in Maharashtra.