Srinagar, January 28:
Issued by the surveillance and monitoring cell of the security wing, the advisory, according to officials, is aimed at keeping the morale of PSOs high and ensure “safety of protected politicians” especially during election campaigning by them.
Ahead of Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the police have issued a 10-point advisory to personal security officers guarding ‘protected persons’ in the state to “ensure their safety and security”.
Issued by the surveillance and monitoring cell of the security wing, the advisory, according to officials, is aimed at keeping the morale of PSOs high and ensure “safety of protected politicians” especially during election campaigning by them.
“PSOs should be smart, healthy and swift in action,” reads the advisory, copy of which is with Greater Kashmir.
“They should have a great comprehensibility about the situation,” it reads.
The advisory further states that the PSOs should have a “thorough knowledge of nature of threat” faced by the protected persons.
“A PSO should establish a rapport with the protected person and be familiar with his habits and temperament, routes frequented by him and his friends and associates,” the advisory reads, adding: “They should never leave the protected persons and never act as their domestic helps or personal aides”.
The PSOs should not carry bags or briefcases of protected persons as it will hinder their capacity to protect the protected persons or retaliate to an attack, the advisory states, adding that these “unrelated tasks would compromise his security functions.”
This is for the first time such an advisory has been issued to PSOs of protected persons, according to officials.
“PSOs should focus on security of protected persons,” the advisory reads, and directs the PSOs to always “screen and check all parcels and gifts meant for the protected persons”.
“The vehicles used by the protected persons should be searched and checked for explosives before commencement for a journey,” it reads. “They should travel along with protected persons in the same car to enable them to give body cover and carry out the emergency evacuations, as and when required”.
“The PSOs must accompany protected persons along with their weapons, during all movements outside their houses/offices and also in all indoor meetings,” the advisory says.
“They should ensure that throwing of garlands and bouquets on vehicles of protected persons are discouraged. A PSO should form effective ring around the protected persons during the road journeys.”
A police officer, privy to the advisory, said any violation of it would invite trouble for the PSOs.
“The advisory will help prevent weapons loot and ensure safety of politicians,” he said, wishing not to be named.
Country: Greater Kashmir
