Want security for `Aam Aadmi` first, not me: Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said that he does not need any protection for himself and instead want the `aam aadmi` or the common man be protected first after the Uttar Pradesh police said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader will be accorded `Z` category security.

Zee Media Bureau/Ritesh K Srivastava

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said that he does not need any protection for himself and instead want the `aam aadmi` or the common man be protected first after the Uttar Pradesh police said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader will be accorded `Z` category security. Speaking to reporters, Kejriwal said, "Security should not be given to me, security should be given to the Aam Aadmi (common man) first”. Notwithstanding Kejriwal`s stand against taking any security cover, the Uttar Pradesh police today said that it will provide `Z` category protection to him from Monday. The Ghaziabad district police have planned to deploy 30 personnel round-the-clock to provide security to the Delhi Chief Minister, who presently resides with his family in a flat in Girnar Apartments in the Kaushambi area. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor has repeatedly rejected the Ghaziabad SSP`s offer for security cover. "Despite the Delhi CM`s refusal, we have decided to provide him with 24-hour `Z` category security. Two head constables and eight constables will be deployed outside Kejriwal`s house from tomorrow (monday). Besides, two Personal Security Officers will also be posted as part of the Delhi CM`s security detail," SSP Dharmendra Singh told reporters on Sunday. Singh further added that Kejriwal will now have two escort vehicles accompanying him when he is on the move in Ghaziabad. These vehicles would be carrying two head constables and six constables armed with sophisticated weapons. Upon being reminded that Kejriwal had recently rejected Ghaziabad police`s request that he accept security cover and may do so once more, Singh said, "It doesn`t matter if he rejects our request again. After the state government`s directive yesterday, we have decided to give Kejriwal security from Monday." A home department official said a committee comprising of Principal Secretary (Home) AK Gupta and Director General of Police Rizvan Ahmad had on Thursday okayed the new security set up for the Chief Minister. The Uttar Pradesh government had on Saturday decided that security was to be provided to Kejriwal regardless of his refusal to accept the same while, prior to that, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde had said that the Delhi CM was being covered by security personnel without his knowledge. The Uttar Pradesh Police has informed Delhi Police of the decision, and necessary instructions have been issued to police in Ghaziabad district. The Home Ministry and the Uttar Pradesh Police decided to give adequate protection to Kejriwal after some activists of a right-wing group attacked and vandalized the Aam Aadmi Party headquarters in Kaushambi on January 8 to protest against party leader Prashant Bhushan`s remarks on Kashmir. Around 40 activists of Hindu Raksha Dal broke flower pots and tore party posters at the office while some glass doors were also smashed in the attack.