Yoga guru Baba Ramdev Yoga guru Baba Ramdev

Nearly a year after yoga guru Ramdev was given Z-category security, the Centre has now granted paramilitary security cover to his yoga ashram and food park in Haridwar. Ramdev himself is guarded by CRPF commandos, as part of the security cover granted by the government in November 2014.

The move assumes significance as CISF cover is very sparingly granted to the private sector. The food park will be the eighth private unit to be guarded by the paramilitary force after it was first mandated for such tasks in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

The CISF recently received the government’s order and 35 armed men will be deployed for which the “client” —Patanjali Food and Herbal Park Private Limited — will bear the cost, CISF Director General Surender Singh said. Officials said expenditure for security deployment is estimated to be approximately Rs 40 lakh per annum and logistical facilities — barracks, armoury and vehicles — will also be provided by the client. Officials said the CISF commando squad will be headed by an Assistant Commandant-rank officer and will be deployed on a ‘quick reaction team’ pattern, which entails stationing them in vantage positions. The routine entry and exit to the food park and ashram will be regulated by the staff and private security hired by the client, officials said.

The decision came in the wake of a security and intelligence audit report, which found that the food park faces a threat as it is visited by a large number of tourists and is also vulnerable from the point of view of local law and order disturbances.

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