Security tightened for CM, Advani

Home Minister Haren Pandya said the decision was taken following revelation that Keshubhai was "high on the ISI hit list". Pandya said it was decided to tighten security for Union Home Minister L K Advani whenever he will visit Gujarat.

Under the new arrangements, ministers wanting to see the Chief Minister will be allowed to take with them only their personal assistants and secretaries (PAs and PSs), while photo identity cards will be made mandatory for members of the CM’s personal staff who usually escort MLAs and MPs to the Chief Minister’s chamber in the Secretariat.

The minister, however, said that tightening of security would not pose any problem for those who want to meet the Chief Minister. "By lending a professional touch to the security arrangements, we will ensure general people and political parties are not subjected to any hardship or harassment while calling on the Chief Minister," Pandya said.

He said that smartness and presence of mind, and not seniority alone, would be the main criterion for selecting the commandos for this purpose. Besides, officials of the home department would also be directed to study the security arrangements being provided to VVIPs in other sensitive States, to ensure that the security cover is foolproof for Keshubhai Patel.