The Mumbai police, on Thursday, reiterated that it would not charge India Against Corruption (IAC) any fee for the massive deployment of police personnel, equipment and vehicles at the Bandra-Kurla Complex grounds for Anna Hazare's two-day agitation.
SP Yadav, joint commissioner of police, administration, said the police extended security as a routine law-and-order responsibility. "The question of asking for fees does not arise," he said.
Sources said though the event was organised by a private group (IAC), its motive was not monetary gain or entertainment. "It was a social movement, so the police are duty-bound to make security arrangements," an official said.
Secondly, the security was not for Anna - he already has high-level Z-category protection by the state for which it foots the bill - but for visitors. More than 2,500 constables and 350 officers were deployed even before the agitation began. Security measures included 12 platoons of State Reserve Police Force, 2 platoons of Riot Control Police, 3 platoons of Quick Response Team and 2 bomb detection squad teams.
Following poor turnout, a substantial part of the deployment was withdrawn on the second day, with 500 policemen and 50 to 60 officers manning the venue.