Click to play videoChandigarh: Punjab CM's son Sukhbir Badal moves in a cavalcade. The younger Badal is an MP and President of the Shiromani Akali Dal. During Punjab's years of terrorism, both the Badals were provided Z category security.
The state's now free of terrorism, but the security cover for the Badals as well as for several others in the state continues.
But after the Mumbai attacks, questions have been raised over the excessive security for a few at the cost of the citizens. Asked if there will be a security review, Punjab CM Prakash Singh Badal was non-committal.
“Those who need security should be given security and those who don't should not be given security,” he said.
But now the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the state government to disclose how many have been given security and the threat perception to such persons.
“We will review the security scenario and take appropriate action,” says DGP, Punjab Police, NPS Aulakh.
On an average, each of Punjab's 17 ministers has 20 to 40 security people deployed round the clock.
One-hundred-thirteen MLAs, besides other leaders of the BJP and the SAD have gunmen protecting them.
Several police officers, bureaucrats, industrialists and even media persons have also been given state security.
With questions being raised over the excessive deployment of security persons for VIP duty, the Punjab Police now say a review is underway and the security will be reduced by up to 10 per cent.
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