The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Orders reserved on Jayalalithaa’s plea

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Wednesday, Apr 16, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Orders reserved on Jayalalithaa’s plea

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Justice M. Jaichandren of the Madras High Court on Tuesday reserved orders on a writ petition by former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, seeking a direction to authorities to ensure full protection at her residence as required for a person entitled for Z plus-level security.

Ms. Jayalalithaa submitted that during her tenure as Chief Minister, she had taken strong action against several militant groups such as the LTTE, Tamil Nadu Liberation Army, Tamil National Retrieval Troops and naxalites.

Whenever she demitted office as Chief Minister, both during 1996 and 2006, police protection given by the State was reduced to almost zero level though a claim had been made by the authorities as if enough security had been provided. She had been subjected to attempts on her life on more than one occasion and, within a short period from 2006, two attempts had been made. No other Leader of the Opposition and no other person who had served as Chief Minister had been meted out this kind of treatment.

“Constant danger”

“The cumulative effect of all these incidents can easily illustrate that my life is in constant danger,” she said. In a democratic country, the police had to fulfil their duty and obligation to protect the Leader of the Opposition.

When the matter came up for hearing on Tuesday, Jayalalithaa’s counsel, A. Navaneethakrishnan, said the personnel now posted were not trained in security duty. They must be replaced with Tamil Nadu Commando Force personnel.

The court said that written arguments, if any, could be submitted to the court by April 21.

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