The chief minister doesn’t want it, the UP police won’t withdraw it.
Police personnel deployed for the protection of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was cleared for Z-category security cover recently, found themselves in a dilemma on Monday after the CM directed them to go back.
Kejriwal, who stays in an apartment at Girnar Tower at Kaushambi in Ghaziabad, left his residence for work at 9.23am on Monday. The moment his car, crossed the society’s gate, UP police personnel deployed for his security took charge and surrounded the car.
The CM, however, got out of his car and requested the police personnel to go back, stating that he did not need any security.
A policeman deployed at the scene said, “The CM ordered us to go back. We immediately apprised our seniors about the situation. We were in turn told to be with the CM in any case.”
In between the confusion, Kejriwal reached his office in his Wagon R car. A PCR van of Ghaziabad police (UP-14 AG 0131) reached the Delhi secretariat an hour after the CM had gone in. The PCR left the secretariat after the CM left the building.
“UP police personnel armed with AK-47s and carbines will be with the Delhi chief minister even if he refuses a security cover. We have been ordered to protect him. A PCR van will follow the CM in Ghaziabad and Delhi. We have already informed Delhi police about the security cover,” senior superintendent of police, Dharmendra Singh said.
{{/usCountry}}“UP police personnel armed with AK-47s and carbines will be with the Delhi chief minister even if he refuses a security cover. We have been ordered to protect him. A PCR van will follow the CM in Ghaziabad and Delhi. We have already informed Delhi police about the security cover,” senior superintendent of police, Dharmendra Singh said.
{{/usCountry}}“We have deployed two personal security officers (PSOs) of sub-inspector rank, who are assisted by eight security guards. An escort vehicle, consisting of four security personnel, headed by a head constable, has also been provided by the Ghaziabad police,” he added.
However, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) maintained that the party believed that the police force deployed to protect the CM should instead be diverted to serve the common man.
AAP media coordinator Deepak Bajpai said, “Instead of providing 20 policemen to secure the Delhi CM, the police should deploy its manpower to protect the common people. Kejriwal has said numerous times that he does not require security from either Delhi or Uttar Pradesh Police.”