West Bengal Assembly polls: Mithun Chakraborty gets 'Y+' VIP security cover, say sources

New Delhi: The Centre has accorded ‘Y+’ VIP security cover to veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty who recently joined the BJP, official sources said on Wednesday. They said the security cover will be provided by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) that has a dedicated wing for this task, called the special security group (SSG). The 70-year-old actor on Sunday joined the BJP at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mega rally at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. “Chakraborty has been given a ‘Y+’ cover and armed CISF commandos will accompany him during poll campaign in West Bengal,” a senior officer said. Election to the 294-member West Bengal assembly will be held in eight phases between 27 March and 29 April. A threat perception report prepared by central security agencies recently recommended a security cover for the national award-winning actor to the home ministry BJP MP from Jharkhand Nishikant Dubey will also be accorded with a similar cover that involves about 4-5 armed commandos protecting the person. With these new inductions, the CISF now protects a total of 104 VIPs, including National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.