The Hindu : Front Page : Fool-proof police protection for political party leaders

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 01, 2008
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Fool-proof police protection for political party leaders

Special Correspondent

Chief Minister orders it following a letter from National Security Advisor

Officials to contact party leaders
Some leaders do not want protection

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Monday convened a meeting of top police officers in the State following a letter from National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan on the security scene in the country and ordered that fool-proof protection be ensured for leaders of political parties.

According to officials, Mr. Narayanan’s letter follows increased threat perception for leaders in the wake of happenings in the neighbourhood. It was of “a general nature” and had requested the States to look into their security procedures.

On his part, Mr. Karunanidhi stressed the need for sustained effective functioning of police with regard to protection of VIPs and political party leaders. At the end of a meeting of senior officials at the Secretariat, it was decided that police officials concerned would impress upon political party leaders on the importance of their accepting security provided by the police.

It was after the attack on the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president M. Krishnasswamy that the State Government first decided to provide protection to leaders of all political parties. Based on this, the Government had written to leaders of various political party leaders in Tamil Nadu asking whether they would accept police protection. While a few accepted the suggestion, some said it was not required for them. A few others had not replied to the communication. It was under these circumstances it was decided that officials concerned should directly contact party leaders and explain the need for security for them, according to an official press release.

Chief Secretary L.K.Tripathy, Home Secretary S. Malathi, Director-General of Police P. Rajendran and Additional Director-General of Police (Law and Order) K. Vijay Kumar, Chennai Police Commissioner G. Nanchil Kumaran and Additional Commissioner of Police S.R. Jangid participated in the meeting.

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