The Punjab Police have decided to withdraw the extra security provided to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after his counterpart in Delhi objected and filed a complaint with the Election Commission.
“Every now and then we receive reports of threats against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal and we share them with the authorities concerned. Following the directions of the Delhi Police and the Election Commission, we today withdrew the Punjab Police unit from the region. safety of Kejriwal ji,” Director General of Punjab Police Gaurav Yadav told reporters in Patiala.
“We have shown our concerns to them. We will keep in touch with them. We will share our inputs with Delhi Police,” the senior police officer said.
The development comes ahead of the elections to the 70-member Delhi Assembly on February 5. The votes will be counted on February 8.
Mr. Kejriwal, a Z-plus security guard, has a comprehensive security department comprising 63 personnel, including a pilot, escort teams, close protection personnel and search and frisk units. Besides, 15 uniformed personnel of the Central Armed Forces Police (CAPFs) are being deployed for his protection.
On January 18, a stone was thrown at Arvind Kejriwal's car, which his party blamed on the BJP, while the AAP leader was campaigning in his constituency in New Delhi. The BJP claimed that the AAP leader's car hit two BJP workers.
Earlier this month, amid intelligence reports that a pro-Khalistan group is plotting an attack against Arvind Kejriwal, the former prime minister said that “God will save him” and that he is destined to live as long as his “lifeline” allows.
Delhi Police sources said at the time that they will review Kejriwal's security arrangements amid speculation of a threat to his life.
Mr Kejriwal, who is out on bail in the Delhi liquor police case, will contest the Delhi elections from the New Delhi seat. He will contest against Parvesh Verma of the BJP and Sandeep Dikshit of the Congress in the seat he has been winning since 2013.