Hyderabad: Following the recent encounter between Police and Maoists on Andhra-Odisha border, the state government has strengthened security for AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu with 486 personnel.

At present 196 personnel are working in CM’s Security Group (CMSG). The state government has sanctioned 290 posts to CMSG in Intelligence department. The Home Department issued orders to this effect on Thursday.

The department has stated that the Chief Minister’s Security Group under the Intelligence Security Wing provides security to the Chief Minister at Hyderabad, Vijayawada and when he is on tour. A separate Chief Minister's Security Group (CMSG) in Intelligence department has been created to provide security exclusively to the Chief Minister with strength of 338 personnel.

Consequent to bifurcation of the state, 196 personnel were allotted to the Chief Minister’s Security Group (CMSG) of the Residuary State of Andhra Pradesh and the remaining 142 personnel to the Chief Minister’s Security Group (CMSG) of Telangana. The present strength of AP Chief Minister’s Security Group (CMSG) is grossly insufficient to provide security to the Chief Minister.

The home department said that the Chief Minister has been touring extensively within the state and outside. Therefore, the existing strength of CMSG needs to be enhanced.

The home department has sent proposal for sanction of additional strength of (290) posts comprising various categories for CMSG for providing fool-proof security arrangements at Vijayawada, Hyderabad and while the CM is on tour. Accordingly, the state government has sanctioned creation of 290 additional posts for CMSG of Intelligence Security Wing.