The Andhra Pradesh police on Friday clarified that the bulletproof vehicle provided for YSR Congress party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is in perfect condition and did not break down during his visit to Vinukonda on Friday.
In a statement, the police department said the former chief minister is being provided Z+ security as per SRC-2024 norms. Accordingly, security has been provided to him, including additional paraphernalia like Octopus and APSP forces.
As per the norms, Jagan was provided with a Tata Safari bulletproof car. Since there are no Tata Safari bulletproof cars in Vijayawada, one was brought from Vizianagaram. It is a 2018-model car with registration number AP39P0014.
"It is in good condition and the best among the same model cars," the police department said.
The car's condition was evident from its nine-hour journey from Vizianagaram to Tadepalli.
"Initially, the office staff of the former chief minister consulted internal security wing authorities and requested a Toyota Fortuner or Prado car. But since they were not available, the Tata Safari car was allotted," the department stated.
However, within 10 minutes of commencing travel, Jagan shifted to his personal car, a Toyota Fortuner.
"The Tata Safari car was in good condition and there was no breakdown at any place," it said.
The department suggested that Jagan might have felt uncomfortable traveling in the Tata Safari car because he is accustomed to traveling in a Land Cruiser Prado bulletproof car. That could be why he changed cars midway, it added.
