By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: An official communication by Special Branch Security Wing of Odisha Police bearing no 1941/VIP/Security dated 21 .04.2024 stated that after careful consideration and to avoid any untoward incidents, pending approval of the next SLSC meeting, Government has been pleased to enhance the security coverage of the protectees including Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP National Vice President Baijayant Jay Panda, Chairman 5T-Nabin Odisha and Ex PS to Odisha CM, VK Pandian, BJP State President Manmohan Samal, OPCC President Sarat Pattnayak and Kantabanji Congress MLA Santosh Singh Saluja.
‘Provision of following scale of security cover as noted against each have been made for the security of the protectees during the above SLSC review meeting. However , keeping in view of the present threat perception and ensuing simultaneous general elections to Lok Sabha and State Assembly 2024 , the existing security have been reviewed, the Special Branch Security Wing official communication to Districts SPs and others said.
Interestingly, only Pandian is not contesting elections while rest people like Dharmendra Pradhan, Baijayant Panda, Manmohan Samal, Santosh Singh Saluja and Sarat Pattnayak were MLA and MP candidates in their respective Parties of BJP and Congress.
Union Minister Pradhan has been provided with 2 PSO, 1 Havildar and 4 APR as House Guard with Pilot/Escort.
Even though, BJP National Vice President and Kendrapara Lok Sabha candidate Baijayant Jay Panda enjoying Z category security, while no security personnel were deployed for him as per the communication of Special Branch Security wing. The 4th times former MP Jay Panda’s details of security coverage not mentioned in the official communication.
VK Pandian has been provided with 2 PSOs, 1 Havildar, 4 APR as House Guard , 1 Havildar and 4 Constable as Escort.
BJP State President Manmohan Samal has been provided Y category security with 1 PSO from Commissionerate Police, OPCC President Sarat Pattanayak also provided Y category security with 1 PSO from Commissionerate Police.
Congress Kantabanji MLA Santosh Singh Saluja has been provided with Y category security with 2 PSO provided by SP Balangir.
