Armed security was provided to thespian Dilip Kumar, film director Mahesh Bhatt, lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar, editor of Communalism Combat Teesta Setalvad and actress Shabana Azmi in December last year when the ruling Shiv Sena had demanded several cuts in the movie. Taking exception to the storyline, Sainiks had also stormed cinema hallsand disrupted screenings of the film.

Film personalities led by Dilip Kumar had filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking directions for uninterrupted screenings of the film. However, their vociferous protests against the Sena's high-handedness had placed them on a collision course with the political party. Following the petition, over 60 Sainiks led by member of the Legislative Assembly, Shrikant Sarmalkar, had even staged a chaddi morcha outside Kumar's residence in Bandra.At the time, the Khar police had provided Kumar with temporary security but the apex court later instructed the state government to provide round-the-clock cover to all the signatories of the petition.

Police say in some instances, guards have been deployed at both the petitioners' residences as well as at their offices while others have been specially deputed to escort them while they travel in the city. Working in two shifts, some of them have also been asked to extend the cover to spouses and children, police officials say.Bitter at the waste of manpower, officials point out that the policemen are drawn from the western suburbs, the most sensitive zone in the city.

Moreover, they add, the security cover can be withdrawn if all the five personalities make a request to this effect. However, a senior police official quipped: ``Why would anyone do that? The security cover is a status symbol. Except for Mahesh Bhatt, none of the others has suggested that the cover be withdrawn.'' Moreover, he added, the state government is in a bind as it was directed to provide the cover by the apex court.