The Hindu : Security vigil stepped up for Jayalalithaa

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 22, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Security vigil stepped up for Jayalalithaa

By K.T. Sangameswaran

CHENNAI May 21. Security men protecting the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, have stepped up vigil in the wake of a demand by pro-LTTE parties in Sri Lanka that she be `arrested' and `extradited' for alleged war crimes against Tamils on the island.

At a May Day rally, organised by the pro-LTTE parties, speakers strongly criticised the Tamil Nadu Assembly resolution demanding the extradition of the Tiger leader, V. Prabakaran.

When contacted, a senior police officer, involved in security coordination, said increased vigil was mainly in the form of ``sensitising the personnel'' to the latest threat perception. Ms. Jayalalithaa was already under the `Z plus category' security and a comprehensive system was in place. She was provided the special security, whether she was in office or during the period she was out of power, in view of her strong anti-LTTE stance. Under these circumstances, the latest demand for her `arrest' and `extradition' to ``Tamil Eelam" — as one of the speakers put it — necessitated a heightened security vigil. Strict instructions were given to the personnel.

In addition to the LTTE threat, there is a perception of threat from Muslim militant groups such as the Al Umma, particularly after the March 7 escape of Imam Ali, a Jihad Committee member, from escort police at Tirumangalam, near Madurai.

There was no increase in the number of personnel guarding the Chief Minister, except addition of a couple of men at the lower level mainly to provide relief to the existing personnel. Perimeter security was improved. Care was taken to ensure that the security arrangements caused no inconvenience to the public.

More than addition of numbers, emphasis was being laid on quality of the work by the personnel and only those with the right aptitude were being chosen. Also, the arrangements were constantly being reviewed. The security for Ms. Jayalalithaa during her present tenure, which was less initially than what it was during her previous tenure, was subsequently increased in keeping with the threat perception, the officer said.

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