Poll effect: Akalis lose security cover

CHANDIGARH: On the directions of the Election Commission, the Punjab Police have withdrawn the alleged unauthorised security cover given to Punjab ministers, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, former SAD MLAs, several “VIP” halqa in-charges, district presidents besides youth Akali leaders.

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 18

On the directions of the Election Commission, the Punjab Police have withdrawn the alleged unauthorised security cover given to Punjab ministers, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, former SAD MLAs, several “VIP” halqa in-charges, district presidents besides youth Akali leaders. A reality check of over 300 VVIPs, mainly political leaders and their supporters by the Election Commission, found that improper security had been given to many of them.

The commission found that the security cover, which had over the years become a status symbol, was beyond the entitlement but the VVIPs had been getting it for several years. The police had not withdrawn it despite the demands by the Opposition.

Around 1,200 police guards given to the VVIPs have been withdrawn. Along with it, 28 escort vehicles have been taken back.

Among those affected are 24 Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, who had security cover of 18 security guards equivalent to the status of a minister. The EC has authorised them to have four guards only, as per the limit fixed for a member of the Legislative Assembly. Also, a number of youth Akali leaders, some of whom even had up to 20 gunmen, have lost the special cover.

Dyal Singh Kolianwali, Muktsar SAD president, had 20 gunmen out of which 10 have been withdrawn now.

Former MLAs Sucha Singh Langah, Sewa Singh Sekhwan and some others too have lost their security cover. SOI leaders, too, have to shed their excess cover.

However, police sources said no change had been made in the security cover of CM Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Badal. Both leaders fall in the ‘Z-plus’ security and have faced attacks in last few days.

The EC has also reviewed the security of AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, who is the party’s top campaigner in the state. Apart from the security given to him as the CM, he will have a dedicated escort vehicle of the Punjab Police or a paramilitary force.

ADGP VK Bhawra, who is Nodal Officer of the Election Commission, said the security was withdrawn after a proper review.