Z category securityfor Smriti Irani

The Centre has decided to provide Z-category security to Union HRD minister Smriti Irani.

The decision has been taken by the Union home ministry following intelligence inputs that Ms Smriti Irani was facing an increased threat perception in view of recent incidents of agitation in Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi and Hyderabad University, official sources said.

According to the provisions of Z-category security, the human resources development minister will be protected by about 18 armed commandos at any given time.

When Ms Irani is travelling, there would be a pilot and an escort vehicle with armed guards providing security cover to her. In addition, armed guards will provide 24 hours’ security cover at Ms Irani’s residence, officials added. So far, Ms Irani had ‘Y’ category security.