Date:19/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/19/stories/2007101961691000.htm

Tamil Nadu

Protection to Jayalalithaa not reduced: Karunanidhi

Special Correspondent

It is as per rules governing ‘Z plus’ category, Chief Minister informs Assembly

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi informed the Assembly on Thursday that protection given to AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa had not been reduced because she was a former Chief Minister or Leader of the Opposition. She was being provided protection as per rules that governed a person in the ‘Z plus’ category of security.

Making a statement in the House after uproarious scenes led to the watch and ward staff evicting AIADMK members, he said the AIADMK was singing the same tune for the past two years. But people in the government and the police were aware of the facts.

Giving details of personnel posted for her protection, he said three inspectors of her choice had been posted for her protection.

They had been allotted 9 mm pistols. Two head constables and a constable with AK- 47 rifles were also part of her security, apart from the 12-member National Security Group guards.

In all there were about 55 police personnel detailed for her security.

“If additional security is required, then we are prepared to give that too. Take however much security you want, but protect parliamentary democracy,” he said.

One of the three inspectors was on duty when an intruder entered Ms. Jayalalithaa’s house.

If there was a shortcoming in her security that day, then this was a lapse on the part of the inspector. The police would take appropriate action, he said.

Mr. Karunanidhi said when the AIADMK was in power, he was in the ‘Z plus’ category too. But Ms. Jayalalithaa was claiming that he did not have ‘Z plus’ protection then; only she had.

He too had the same protection that was now being given to Ms. Jayalalithaa.

Many people used to come and meet him — some times in groups of four and five — at his residence and party office when Ms. Jayalalithaa was Chief Minister. “I did not assume that these people had come to murder me and hence did not fault the government for not taking action. You are all aware of this,” he said. One should not think that anyone who came to one’s residence was there with the intention to murder. Mr. Karunanidhi said it was habitual for some to blame rival parties for all their ills. The Government did not want to rule after killing members of the Opposition.

He appealed to the members to act in the interests of the people and uphold the values of the House.