Security of Punjab politicians under review

Security of Punjab politicians under review
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

LUDHIANA, JAN 2: The new year may cost many a politician, including those holding key positions in their respective parties, their status symbol - the armed security cover provided by the Punjab Police. And those who still figure in the threat perception of the police, may retain a thinned version of the cover.

It is learnt that all SSPs in the state have been directed by the ADGP, Security, to provide details of the security cover provided to politicians in their respective districts. According to sources in the office of the Director General of Punjab Police, the SSPs have been asked to review the ``threat perceptions'' and danger to the lives of those given the cover.A communication to this effect has been sent out by the ADGP (Security) to the SSPs. They have been asked to submit details of the police protectees with a special mention of any criminal or other cases registered against them.

Those likely to lose the cover include Jagdish Tangri, Hindu Shiv Sena president, Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, aformer minister associated with AISAD chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Congress MLA Rakesh Pandey besides former member of Parliament Rajinder Kaur Bulara and Mohinder Singh Kalyan. While in some cases security has already been withdrawn, in other cases the ``threat perceptions'' are being reviewed as the dark clouds of terrorism have dissipated.

The department is also reviewing the security provided to the MLAs and MPs from the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance. Those whose security cover may be ``thinned down'' include BJP MLA Sat Pal Gosian, former MP Amrik Singh Aliwal and Congress MP Gurcharan Singh Ghalib.