Security may not be scaled down

By K.T. Sangameswaran

CHENNAI, SEPT. 22. Though she has stepped down from office, security for Ms. Jayalalithaa is likely to be almost the same as it was when she was Chief Minister, according to present indications.

With only a day having gone by after she ceased to hold office, the police have not taken any decision on the scale of security to be provided for her, say sources.

The matter is likely to be reviewed by authorities in the next few days. ``However, since she is in the Z plus category, the security will be almost the same'', a senior police officer said. Although she is out of power, officials are cautious about dealing with the matter as it is her party which is in power and her representative is the Chief Minister. No chances could be taken with her security.

Though NSG cover has been provided to her in view of a threat to her life from the LTTE, the Central agency's security is only supplementary to what is provided by the State police, say the sources.

After all, the security and the number of personnel to be deployed when she is at home and when she is on the move have to be decided only by the State police.

The security during her second tenure in office was the ``bare minimum'', the sources say. This is, perhaps because of the stringent criticism against the security arrangements which caused much hardship to the public during her previous rule.

Ms. Jayalalithaa being a ``very popular leader'' necessary arrangements have to be made when she is in the midst of a big crowd. ``Unless she herself feels that even the present scale of security is not required, particularly when she moves about, nothing much can be done'', the sources explain.

However, the police strength posted near her Poes Garden residence this morning was marginally small, mainly because there was no crowd and there were not many visitors, the sources say.

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Section  : Southern States
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