21 October,2011 06:55 AM IST | | Imran Gowhar
Around 1,500 cops were deployed on the Tamil Nadu CM's bandobust duty, leaving stations unmanned and putting security of around 85 lakh people at risk
When a major portion of the city police's manpower was deployed at the metro launch venue to thwart any possible terror attacks, around 1,500 personnel were drawn from the already diminished posse to provide security to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who already enjoys a Z plus security cover.
She was in town to appear before the court in connection with a disproportionate assets case.
Around 1,500 personnel were drawn to provide security to
Jayalalithaa, who already enjoys a Z plus security cover
According to political observers, the state's decision to offer extra cover to already secured Jayalalithaa apparently at the cost of around Rs 85 lakh is not justified.
While the cops were busy guarding the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, the day to day business of police stations across the city were getting affected.
Several police stations across the city wore a deserted-look, as all the policemen were deployed to give security cover to several major events, including the inauguration of Metro train.
As the officers in charge of different police stations were busy doing bandobust duty, investigations into some important cases, which could have been cracked during the day, also came to an abrupt halt.
"We were zeroing in on the accused of a multi-crore fraud case. We have to arrest them before they manage to flee. But due to this bandobust duty, we had to postpone out important operations," said a police officer, who was deputed at Metro inauguration venue.
A senior police officer, who was deputed on Jaylalithaa's bandobust duty, said that the police is meant to protect the public and not any individual. "When the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister already enjoys a Z Plus security cover, what was the need to give her an extra security cover?" asked the officer.
Marathon trail
Around 10.20 am, Jayalalithaa landed at the HAL airport in a special aircraft. Soon after she headed for the court in her bulletproof car with 10 escorts vehicles in tow.
The city police were on their toes through out the day as she had to spend an entire day in the court, yesterday. The overworked cops may have heaved a sigh of relief when she flew back to Chennai in the evening.
A senior police official added, "But this respite is short-lived, as the AIADMK leader will again appear before the court today, sending the already strained police machinery out of gear once again."
According to court sources, she spent the entire day answering around 380 questions in all posed to her by the prosecution. Today, she will have to answer another 1,000 questions.
