How do you protect our VIP ‘ s from any physical harm , acts of terrorism , or any other untoward incident detrimental to their position , prestige or protocol ? . In a democracy , it is a very challenging task indeed . Do we resort to show of strength or conceal our real strength from public view ? . While the Israelis and to a great extent the Americans follow the latter , in India we believe in the former .
Some examples from real life – I can always tell from the route where policemen are positioned hours in advance in Hyderabad , where we live , the likely place of visit of the Chief Minister on that day . Nearer to the event , we can see police patrolling intensified on the route till the traffic is completely stopped to enable the VIP to pass . Do we have to announce to the whole world [which include enemies of the state] or move the head of the government in a subtle way through highways keeping the surprise element in focus? .
The media gets to know the itinerary of VIP ‘s well in advance to ensure adequate coverage about the events attended by them . While this cannot be avoided for large public functions , it can be done away with for other minor events with release of prepared reports by the government PRO [ Public Relations Officer] .
VIP travel by commercial airlines is known much in advance if any one observes the added security activity near the airport terminals hours before the actual arrival of the VIP . Such regular patterns send avoidable signals to those who may mean harm to VIP ‘s to plan strikes and rehearse such acts with impunity .
I recall a comic incident while traveling in a private bus in Kerala . The conductor pulled up a passenger for not buying a ticket . The passenger shouted at the conductor ” Do’nt you know that I am a CID ? ” . CID stands for Criminal Investigation Department and he was a policeman in plain clothes to conceal his identity from the public !!!
VIP Security is an important function of the state apparatus and this has to be planned and executed in an imaginative manner without public exposure and criticism . One should avoid ” tell tale ” signs or foot prints and routine drills in public view to the extent possible . The ideal security cover should merge with normal life and no one should see the overlay at any time . Such a standard is badly lacking in our scheme of things in India.