The Central government on Friday stepped up security by National Security Guards to Telugu Desam Party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, following intelligence reports of increased threat perception to him from his opponents.
Till Thursday, Naidu was being provided with 6+6 security by the NSG (six commandoes in each of the two shifts). From Friday, it has gone up to 12+12, as double the number of commandoes joined the duty at Kuppam in Chittoor district, as Naidu began his third day of his tour in the constituency.
Following inputs from the central intelligence sources that there might be attacks on Naidu from his political opponents, the Centre deputed senior official of the NSG – deputy inspector general Samardeep Singh visited the TDP office at Mangalagiri, which was allegedly attacked by the YSR Congress party workers on Thursday.
The NSG DIG went round the Mangalagiri office of the TDP and inspected the vulnerable areas where there is a chance of attack on Naidu. Based on his recommendation, the Centre announced doubling of the security for him.
Apparently, the Centre took serious note of the recent incidents, where the YSRC party workers have been stalling his movement, attacking his rallies with stones and raising slogans, that is leading to the clashes between the TDP and YSRC workers.
The NSG official also reportedly inspected the security surveillance available at the TDP office and also his Vundavalli residence.
He also spoke to the top police officials of the state government, in the wake of the reports that the security cover being provided by the state police has several loopholes.
He also gave some suggestions to the state police on maintaining protocol for the TDP chief in view of the increased threat perception to him.