Chirag Paswan receives death threat via post; office seeks probe and security review

Death threat sent by post

Union Minister for Food Processing Industries and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan received a death threat through an unsigned communication sent via post on Tuesday, his office said. The communication warned that the minister would be killed by "hardcore terrorists," according to reports from ANI, Moneycontrol, and The Times of India.

The threatening portion of the communication read: "You will be killed shortly by hardcore terrorists," as quoted in the letter sent by Paswan's office.

Office seeks investigation and security review

Following receipt of the threat, Paswan's office wrote to the Union Home Secretary seeking an urgent investigation into the origin and authenticity of the communication and a review of the minister's security arrangements. The letter, addressed by Alok Kumar, Additional Private Secretary to Paswan, stated that the matter concerned the personal security of the minister, who is currently under Z-category security cover provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

"I am directed to bring to your urgent attention a matter of grave concern regarding the personal security of the Hon'ble Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, who is currently under Z-category security cover provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India," the letter stated, as reported by ANI and Moneycontrol.

Details of the communication

According to the letter, an unsigned communication containing two mobile numbers was received in the Ministry on Tuesday. "Upon opening the same, it was found to contain a direct threat to the life of the Union Minister of Food Processing Industries. The threatening portion of the communication, excluding the mobile numbers mentioned therein, reads: 'You will be killed shortly by hardcore terrorists'," Kumar said, as quoted by Moneycontrol.

The letter described the communication's contents as "a matter of grave concern" that "give rise to serious apprehensions regarding the safety and security of the Hon'ble Minister," according to ANI. The original communication was enclosed with the letter for examination by authorities.

Paswan's office also requested that the matter be accorded "utmost urgency and priority," and sought a review of the minister's security arrangements and their augmentation in view of the threat perception and scheduled public engagements, as reported by Moneycontrol.

The Times of India reported that officials said the threat prompted action from the minister's office, which has written to the Union home secretary. The contents of the letter and the circumstances surrounding its delivery are expected to be examined as part of the security assessment. Further details about the threat and any security measures being considered were not immediately available.

Paswan is a Union minister and heads the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas).