Orissa police to augment security of MLAs, MPs

"We will maximise the security of VVIPs due to threat perception on their lives. We had a detailed discussion on security arrangement for MLAs and MPs," Director General of Police(DGP) Manmohan Praharaj told reporters after the state level security committee (SLSC) meeting here today. A large number of MLAs and MPs hailing from Left Wing Extremist(LWE)-affected districts have sought special security arrangement for them after the killing of wheel chair-bound Majhi in Nawrangpur district.

Mayurbhanj MP Laxman Tudu has urged the government to enhance his security. "Though the police have provided two personal security officers (PSOs) I don`t feel secure at my house in Mayurbhanj, which is located at a place close to West Bengal and Jharkhand border." While MPs and MLAs from 19 LWE-hit districts are demanding security since Majhi`s killing, at least 43 MLAs and 12 MPs were yet to be provided with a PSO, home deaprtment sources said.

Of the 90 MLAs hailing from LWEs-hit districts, only 45 are provided with security, the sources said adding two MLAs from worst affected Malkangiri district are yet to be given security cover by the state. Congress MLA from Chitrakonda Mamata Madhi, who had often spoken against Maoists in the assembly, has not been given security. Similar is the case of Mukund Sodi, MLA from Malkangiri assembly segment.

"The SLSC has made certain recommendations. The state government will take a final decision on providing security for MLAs and MPs," home secretary M S Padhi said. Finance Minister Prafulla Ghadai is the lone minister provided with Z category security in view of threat to his life.