Manmohan Singh's SPG Cover Withdrawn; Continues To Have Z+ Security

The SPG has over 3,000 personnel. Based on threat perception, the special group covers Prime Ministers as well as former Prime Ministers and their families like a shadow.

PTI image

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs Monday withdrew the SPG cover of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday. The decision was taken after a periodic security cover review exercise, which is done after a professional assessment by security agencies. He however, continues to have a Z+ security cover. What is SPG cover? SPG is an elite force, which guards the country's most protected politicians; will now guarding only four people namely Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her children Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The SPG has over 3,000 personnel. Based on threat perception, the special group covers Prime Ministers as well as former Prime Ministers and their families like a shadow.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): The current security cover review is a periodical and professional exercise based on threat perception that is purely based on professional assessment by security agencies. Dr. Manmohan Singh continues to have a Z+ security cover. pic.twitter.com/qYxxg2abI3

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2019

The SPG was set up in 1985 specifically for the security of prime ministers after the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her security guards. The "general superintendence, direction and control" of the SPG is exercised by the Central Government.  The head of the force, called a Director, designated as Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat is responsible for "the command and supervision" of the force Manmohan Singh has served as country’s prime minister for 10 years between 2004 and 2014.