60 cops withdrawn from Thackeray8217;s security cover

Mumbai, Nov 29: The Democratic Front Government has drastically reduced the number of personnel deployed for Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackera...

Mumbai, Nov 29: The Democratic Front Government has drastically reduced the number of personnel deployed for Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray8217;s security cover since it was found to be in excess.

However, the Sena chief, who faces a threat to his life from the militants, will continue to be under the Z-plus security cover even though the number of policemen giving him the cover has be slashed from 226 to 166.

The official said as per the guidelines of the Centre, a high level committee headed by the Chief Secretary has been set up to review threat perception to individuals. Besides the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary Home, Director General of Police and Commissioner of Police are the members of the committee.

Former Chief Minister and Sena leader Narayan Rane has already taken strong objection to the move.

In a preemptive bid to deflect any criticism aimed at Home Minister and Dy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, the official said 8220;the Home Minister has absolutely no role in the wholeprocess. The committee takes decisions on the threat perception on the basis of the reports of the Home Department and the Intelligence Bureau. In case of Thackeray, it was felt that there were surplus officials and therefore it was decided to withdraw them,8221; the official explained.

Besides Thackeray, former Defence Minister Sharad Pawar, former Director General of Police Punjab J F Rebeiro, former Chief Minister Narayan Rane and former Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde have been accorded Z-plus security cover.

Meanwhile, the Home Department has asked all the Commissioners of Police as well as Superintendents of Police to submit comprehensive information on security cover provided to politicians.

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8220;Apparently, it was found that several politicians, particularly those belonging to the Shiv Sena and BJP were having police protection. In some cases, it was observed that politicians with a criminal record were also given special protection.

Once the official report is received, necessary action willbe taken on slashing the security cover,8221; the official added.