Union Minister for Food Processing Industries and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan received a death threat through an unsigned communication sent by post on Tuesday, prompting his office to seek an urgent investigation and a review of his security arrangements.
The communication, which contained two mobile numbers, carried a direct threat to Paswan’s life and claimed that he would soon be killed by “hardcore terrorists”. Following its receipt, Paswan’s office wrote to Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, seeking an investigation into the origin, authenticity and circumstances surrounding the threat.
Security review sought
In the communication to the Home Secretary, Paswan’s office described the matter as one of grave concern and said the direct nature of the threat had raised serious apprehensions about the Union minister’s safety. Paswan is currently provided Z-category security cover by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The original threatening communication has been forwarded to the authorities for examination. Paswan’s office has asked that the matter be investigated without delay and accorded the highest priority.
The office has also sought a review of the minister’s existing security arrangements and their augmentation, if considered necessary, taking into account the threat perception as well as his scheduled public engagements.
Authorities are expected to examine the two mobile numbers mentioned in the communication as part of efforts to establish its origin. No information about the identity of the sender or the authenticity of the threat was immediately available.