M.K. Stalin’s security cover downgraded from Z+ to Z after threat assessment
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Tamil Nadu Police have downgraded the security cover provided to former chief minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin from Z+ to Z following a periodic assessment of threats faced by protected political leaders, officials said.
The decision was taken after a review by the Core Cell Security Wing at the State Secretariat. Chief Secretary Sai Kumar, Home Secretary K. Manivasan, Director General of Police Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal and other senior officials examined intelligence inputs and Stalin's security requirements.
Under the revised arrangement, Stalin will continue to receive substantial police protection, with security personnel deployed across the front, core and rear sections of his convoy. Pilot, escort, backup and close-protection vehicles will remain part of the security formation during his travel and public engagements.
Officials described the move as a rationalisation of security deployment rather than a withdrawal of protection. The number of personnel assigned to Stalin was not disclosed.
Security categories for VIPs and VVIPs in Tamil Nadu are reviewed every six months. The assessment considers intelligence inputs, the nature and immediacy of threats, public exposure, travel patterns and other protection requirements. Categories can be retained, enhanced or reduced following the review.
The downgrade comes months after Stalin and the DMK suffered a major setback in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election. The DMK, which had won 133 seats in 2021, was reduced to 59 seats, while actor-politician C. Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as the largest party with 108 seats.
Stalin also lost Kolathur, his home constituency, to TVK candidate V.S. Babu. Babu secured 82,997 votes against Stalin's 74,202, winning by 8,795 votes. Stalin has challenged the election result before the Madras High Court.
Despite the electoral setback, Stalin remains DMK president and a prominent opposition leader in Tamil Nadu.
Officials said the security revision was based solely on a professional threat assessment and was unrelated to Stalin's political standing or election result. The new arrangement will remain in place until the next review unless fresh intelligence leads to an earlier reassessment.