Notwithstanding Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s stand against taking any security cover, Ghaziabad police has decided to provide 'Z' category protection to him from today.
As per the security plan outlined by the district police, 30 personnel would be deployed round-the-clock to provide security to Kejriwal.
Kejriwal presently resides with his family in a flat in Girnar Apartments in the Kaushambi area of Ghaziabad. He has earlier turned down the Ghaziabad SSP’s offer for security cover.
"Despite the Delhi CM’s refusal, we have decided to provide him with 24-hour 'Z' category security.
"Two head constables and eight constables will be deployed outside Kejriwal’s house from tomorrow. Besides, two Personal Security Officers will also be posted as part of the Delhi CM’s security detail," SSP Dharmendra Singh told PTI.
He added that Kejriwal will now have two escort vehicles accompanying him when he is on the move in Ghaziabad. These vehicles would be carrying two head constables and six constables armed with sophisticated weapons.
"The two police vehicles will guard the Delhi CM when he is on the move in Ghaziabad," Singh said.
Upon being reminded that Kejriwal had recently rejected Ghaziabad police’s request that he accept security cover and may do so once more, Singh said, "It doesn’t matter if he rejects our request again. After the state Government’s directive on Saturday, we have decided to give Kejriwal security from Monday."
Uttar Pradesh Government had on Saturday decided that security was to be provided to Kejriwal regardless of his refusal to accept the same while, prior to that, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde had said that the Delhi CM was being covered by security personnel without his knowledge.
Activists of a right-wing group had on January 8 attacked and vandalised the Aam Aadmi Party headquarters in Kaushambi to protest against party leader Prashant Bhushan’s remarks on Kashmir.
Around 40 activists of Hindu Raksha Dal broke flower pots and tore party posters at the office while some glass doors were also smashed in the attack.