Assassinations were culmination of conspiracies

As was clearly brought out in the Murder trial, Father of the Nation was the victim of a conspiracy hatched by Hindu fanatical elements. The conspirators were moving from one city to another frequently prior to the assassination, yet the security and intelligence agencies were not aware of them. Khalistani elements plotted the murder of Srimathi Indira Gandhi and executed it by infiltrating and subverting the security personnel. Yet, none was aware of the same. In the charge sheet filed by S.I.T. in Rajiv Gandhi Murder Case, details of how Sri Lankan Nationals belonging to L.T.T.E., methodically and meticulously planned the assassination. They even, according to S.I.T., had the audacity to have a dry run of the event.

Physical security arrangements are planned and executed on the basis of assessment of risks or threats, a protected person is likely to face. To make this assessment, precise and credible intelligence is an essential input. From the facts available, it is clear that neither the Central nor the State intelligence agencies were either aware of the conspiracies nor visualised any threats from these quarters. During the period preceding the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, fanatical Hindu elements were incensed by the alleged Pro-Muslim and Pro-Pak stand of Mahatma. After Blue Star Operation, Khalistanis were bitter enemies of Smt.Indira Gandhi. Late Rajiv Gandhi’s action in despatching IPKF to bring peace to Sri Lanka was not to the liking of L.T.T.E. and they hated him.

Enough Portents were available

Authorities concerned failed to read the real significance and importance of certain events that preceded the assassinations. In the case of Mahatma Gandhi, explosions at Prayer Meetings were not taken serious note of. There was no worthwhile ‘access control’ to screen the people who visited Mahatma’s Delhi Camp. The fact, that the assassin with the murder weapon could reach Mahatma without any hindrance, speaks volumes of lack of any security arrangement. Attempt of Khalistanis to harm the grand children of Smt.Indira Gandhi and the attempts to infiltrate the Army and Police by Khalistani elements were not read in the context of the security of Shrimathi Indira Gandhi. The least that was expected of security authorities was to insulate the security personnel from contamination. There was an unsavoury incident in Bihar during the election tour of Rajiv, when an attempt was made to physically assault the party of Rajiv Gandhi. This took place nearly three months before the assassination. The possibility of physical attack on Rajiv Gandhi during election tours became patent after this incident. The result of various surveys conducted by the Media predicted that Rajiv would Romp home as Prime Minister. Further Media also reported, how lack of strict security arrangements made Rajiv accessible to the people and endeared him to millions. These indicators towards danger to personal safety of Rajiv Gandhi were not read properly. Had it been done, authorities concerned would have suo motto reviewed the security arrangements for Shri Rajiv Gandhi.

Importance of Intelligence in VIP Protection

To plan and put into operation an effective physical protection system, authorities will have to determine the level of risk. This calls for credible and precise intelligence about the nature, extent and the status of the threats. Once this is available, security authorities can choose the appropriate strategy to deal with the threat. In the absence of intelligence, physical arrangements will lack focus. Much of the harassment the general public experience due to VIP security measures, is precisely due to this problem. Since, at the grass root level, none is clear about the need and rationale fro a particular measure, blanket enforcement is resorted to. By overdoing what is their legitimate duties, security personnel become objects of public ridicule and antagonism.

Fix Responsibility for providing intelligence for VIP Protection

Everybody’s business is nobody’s business. We have a plethora of Central and State intelligence organisations claiming to work for generating intelligence for VIP Security. Since none has an exclusive mandate and responsibility, all of them try to pass on the buck and adopt one upmanship and churn out reams of reports covering almost all imaginable scenarios and pass on the same to security authorities. The aim is to claim that they had foreseen the events and have warned the concerned. Since the protection of persons staying in their jurisdiction is the responsibility of the State Government, they are taken to task in the event of a mishap. When Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated, Tamil Nadu was under President’s Rule. Yet the blame for slack security arrangements rested squarely on the local authorities and the Centre came out of the ordeal unscathed.

There is need to designate one Central agency as responsible for providing intelligence pertaining to VIP Security and make that organisation accountable for the results. It shall be the duty of this organisation to study all events affecting VIP Security and given a clear forecast. Its recommendations should be action specific.

Cooperation of Protected Person is essential

To derive the maximum benefit out of the security measures, willing co-operation of the protected person is essential. Mahatma Gandhi believed in the Almighty and would not brook presence of Police in his Prayer meetings. Indira Gandhi disregarded and advice to replace the Sikh personnel in her security set up. Once he became free of the official responsibilities of the Prime Ministership, Rajiv Gandhi became slack about his own personal security. It is the duty of the security authorities to brief fully the protected persons about the intelligence regarding threats to their security and explain to them in full the proposed measures and seek their cooperation. All human beings have the instinct of self preservation and VIPs are not an exception. If the proposed measures are low profile and do not affect their political image, all protected persons will willingly cooperate. This point is often easily overlooked resulting in making the arrangements ineffective.

Advent of Gun and Bomb Culture

Criminalisation of Politics; presence of I.S.I. and L.T.T.E. elements on our soil; and our own increasing social and economic problem spewing political violence, have heralded the advent of Gun and Bomb culture and increased the threat to the lives of political leaders. All leaders are our National assets and need protection as leading citizens. Those in office, face greater risks and need greater protection. VIP Security should be kept above party politics and be given all out support. Security measures are to be constantly reviewed and upgraded.

In the ultimate analysis, posterity will judge us only by our failures on VIP Security front.