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Papri Sri Raman
The elite National Security Guards have taken over the security of former Tamil Nadu chief minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi, weeks after his controversial midnight arrest and subsequent release.
The central government in New Delhi is also sending a bulletproof vehicle for the president of Dravida Munnnetra Kazhagam M Karunanidhi.
The DMK is an alliance partner of the ruling National Democratic Alliance coalition and NSG security for Karunanidhi is being seen as a move to placate it after the arrests.
According to reports, former Tamil Nadu director general of police R Rajagopalan has been appointed chief of the NSG.
Last month Rajagopalan was removed from his post after the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhgam government under Jayaram Jayalalitha took up office in Tamil Nadu and initiated large-scale transfers of police officials.
The DMK complained of human rights violation by police during the arrest of Karunanidhi and other DMK leaders and federal ministers June 30.
All of them have since been released.
Karunanidhi had earlier rejected the police protection given to him by the state government, accusing the Tamil Nadu police of wanting to murder him at the behest of Chief Minister Jayalalitha.
The state government, however, continues to provide Karunanidhi six sub-inspectors of the local crime branch. The city police have also provided him with a sub-inspector and three armed constables.
DMK leaders have, however, said the protection is not enough. Two Central ministers of the party, TR Baalu and Murasoli Maran, have insisted Karunanidhi be provided with the highest 'Z category' security.
Indo-Asian News Service
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