Home Minister Amit Shah, on Monday, February 7, requested president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Asaduddin Owaisi, to accept Z-category security offered by the government after a recent attack on his car. Making a statement in the Rajya Sabha, Shah said that a government assessment has found that Owaisi still faces security threats, but the Hyderabad MP has refused to take the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) protection.
"As per the verbal information sent by Owaisi to us, he has refused to take security. I request Owaisi through this House to take the security immediately and address our concern (about his safety)," Shah said in the Upper House. He also told the House that the Ministry of Home Affairs has received a report from the state government.
"The central government has issued directions to provide security to Owaisi many times earlier also. Telangana Police and Delhi Police remained unsuccessful in providing security to Owaisi due to his unwillingness for that," the minister said.
About the security threat to Owaisi, he stated, "We have reassessed the security of Owaisi. We have provided (offered) him in Delhi with a bullet-proof car under all India level Z-category security of Central Reserve Police Force on the basis of assessment."
Shots were fired at Owaisi's car on February 3 in Uttar Pradesh following which two persons were arrested and arms were also recovered. Owaisi had reached Delhi safely after the incident.
Shah also informed the House that the AIMIM leader did not have a scheduled programme in Hapur and no prior information was sent regarding his visit to the district control room.
"Local police inspected the site of the incident and arrested two accused and also recovered two pistols and a car. A forensic team is conducting an investigation at the site of the incident and the (recovered) vehicles. Evidence is being collected. Uttar Pradesh police is also interrogating the two accused. The law and order situation is normal in the district. They are on high alert," Shah added.