Explained: Indian Prime Minister's Security Protocol And What Is A 'Blue Book'

The announcement by the Ministry of Home Affairs that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stuck on a flyover in Punjab for 20 minutes by protesters in what is being described as a significant security lapse has sparked a huge uproar.

The episode immediately devolved into a political blame game, with the BJP accusing the Congress of having "murderous intentions," while Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi denied any wrongdoing, claiming that he would die for the prime minister but was never in danger.

Which agency is in charge of the Prime Minister's security?

The Prime Minister's safety and security is the responsibility of the Special Protection Group (SPG). The SPG protects the Prime Minister and his immediate family members who live with them at their official house at all times, whether in India and overseas.

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The elite commando unit is also in charge of the Prime Minister's immediate security. This signifies that SPG soldiers are cordoning off the immediate area around the PM.

The SPG is also responsible for the ASL, or Advanced Security Liaison. This means that personnel from the central agencies are recording and monitoring every minute of the Prime Minister's schedule. The local police maintain this minute-by-minute programme during the PM's visit to a state, but it is overseen by SPG officials.

Sanitising the venue and the PM's route are also part of ASL. The Special Protection Group is mandated to carry out anti-sabotage checks and frisking of anyone who may approach the Prime Minister.

So, what is SPG?

An Act of the Indian Parliament established the agency in 1988. The law was revised in 2019, and SPG protection is now solely guaranteed to the Prime Minister of India.

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The SPG is based in Dwarka, southwest Delhi, and draws personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (such as the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police) as well as the Railway Protection Force Service.

They're all volunteers ¨C the best of the best who passed a three-tiered screening process. They are usually seen around the prime minister, dressed in black Western-style formal business suits, sunglasses, and carrying a two-way encrypted communication earpiece as well as concealed weapons.

What security measures does the SPG use to ensure the PM's safety?

The Prime Minister is always surrounded and guarded by the SPG, as previously indicated. The SPG follows the instructions in the 'Blue Book' when travelling to the States.

The Ministry of Home Affairs issues the 'Blue Book' guidelines. According to the Blue Book, the SPG must convene an Advance Security Liaison three days before each visit by the prime minister, with everyone engaged in protecting the event, including Intelligence Bureau authorities in the concerned state, state police officers, and the pertinent district magistrate.

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Everything is laid out in this meeting, even the tiniest details. The group reviews the PM's travel plans, including how he will be accompanied, and choices are made based on central and local intelligence input. For any emergency event, agencies at all levels develop contingency plans

What happened on January 5 in Punjab?

While Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said that the Prime Minister's schedule had been communicated in advance, the Home Ministry maintained that the PM's schedule had been communicated in advance.

¡°He proceeded to travel by road after necessary confirmation of necessary security arrangements by the DGP Punjab Police,¡± the Ministry said in a statement. The Punjab Police, according to former officer O P Singh, is to blame.

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Although it is not common for the prearranged plan to be amended, it does get changed though. In that situation, the previously considered contingency plan kicks in. For example, Narendra Modi's Ferozepur rally on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Modi was scheduled to fly to the National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala earlier this week. However, due to the inclement weather, Modi opted to travel by road to the National Martyrs Memorial, which would take more than two hours. Following the DGP Punjab Police's certification of sufficient security preparations, he proceeded to travel by road.

As a result, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stranded on a flyover in Punjab for 20 minutes after farm protesters stopped his cavalcade's route.

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