Security cover thick for VVIPs, wafer thin for citizens

 An average of five policemen guard a VVIP in Bihar, while there is only one constable for every 2,187 people in the state as against the national average of one policeman for every 761 people.

The alarming figures came to light in the wake of the Supreme Court instructing all states to file affidavits on policemen engaged in VIP duty.

Of the 63,000 police personnel in the state, around 15,000 serve as bodyguards to 3,030 VIPs. The rest of the 48,000 policemen protect the 10.5 crore “aam aadmi” in Bihar.
According to a source in the home department, around 3,000 policemen, including the Bihar Military Police (BMP) jawans, provide security to 374 politicians including MPs, MLAs and MLCs. Besides, the state government has deputed 10 house guards, two havildars and eight constables, at the residence of every minister and five house guards at the residence of MLAs and MLCs.

Shortly after BJP MLA Raj Kishore Keshri was killed in Purnia in 2011, the state government tightened security of all legislators. At present, three policemen have been attached with every MLA and MLC. Earlier, each legislator was entitled to two cops.

Similarly, 2,500 policemen have been deployed for security to IAS, IPS and other administrative and police officials in the 38 districts of the state.

Besides, nearly 1,500 policemen have been engaged in providing security to judges of high court, district courts and lower courts.

According to the rule, a district judge is entitled to five home guards, apart from a personal security official.