Maharashtra police will now guard Kasab, says RR Patil

RR Patil, state home minister, has decided to replace the 200 commandos from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), who are guarding 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab at Arthur Road jail, with state police personnel.

RR Patil, state home minister, has decided to replace the 200 commandos from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), who are guarding 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab at Arthur Road jail, with state police personnel.

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Patil on Wednesday instructed the director general of police to form a state police team to replace the ITBP guards.

This move comes after the state home department has been issued a bill of Rs 10.87 crore by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) as a reimbursement for expenses in guarding 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab, lodged in the Arthur Road jail in Mumbai.

“Our police force is able and they can do the job. The ITBP is very costly and we will replace them with our own people,” Patil said. He added that communication is being sought with the central government asking them to give some “concessions” on the ITBP bill “There should be some reduction in cost considering the attacks in Mumbai was one which had national repercussions,” said Patil

Apart from the security, the state is already bearing the costs of feeding Kasab and providing medical aid to him when required. The state spends Rs31 per day on Kasab’s food.