Arvind Kejriwal gets Z category security in Uttar Pradesh, ‘discreet’ cover in Delhi

New Delhi –  Arvind Kejriwal will get top level Z security cover whether he likes it or not.

The Delhi Chief Minister will be given Z category protection by the Uttar Pradesh police from today, which means 30 security personnel at his home in Kaushambi, Ghaziabad.

The 45-year-old leader has been given ‘discreet’ security cover in Delhi too, especially after he and his Delhi cabinet colleagues were besieged by an uncontrollable crowd at their first ‘Janta Darbar’ outside the Delhi secretariat on Saturday. (Read) Mr Kejriwal and his ministers plan to make this interaction a routine affair and crowd management is a major concern for the Delhi Police.

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had said that Mr Kejriwal was being protected by security men without his knowledge. “He needs security to keep questionable elements in crowds away from him,” said a Delhi Police source.

Mr Kejriwal has repeatedly turned down the Ghaziabad police’s offer for security cover, even after the office of his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) just a kilometre from his home was attacked and vandalized by a mob last week, allegedly to protest against a remark by AAP leader Prashant Bhushan calling for a referendum in Kashmir on the army for internal security.

“Despite the Delhi CM’s refusal, we have decided to provide him with 24-hour Z category security,” Ghaziabad police officer Dharmendra Singh has said, citing an order from Uttar Pradesh’s Akhilesh Yadav government.

Two head constables and eight constables will be posted outside Mr Kejriwal’s house at all times, besides two Personal Security Officers. The Chief Minister will also be followed by two escort cars with armed personnel when he is in Ghaziabad.

Mr Kejriwal has repeatedly said his party will end “VIP culture”, symbolized by heavy security and vehicles with red beacons or lal batti.