(Image source from: Mirchi9.com)

Andhra HC Directs Govt. to Strengthen Chandra Babu Naidu’s Security:- The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Wednesday sends orders to the state government to put back the security of former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu with 97 police personnel.

Following the petition by Naidu that the new AP government reduced the number of his security personnel to 74 after he lost power in recent elections, a division bench of the high court bench headed by Justice Durga Prasada Rao announced the orders.

The court, which had set-aside its orders on August 2, called on the government to include jammer vehicle in the Leader of the Opposition's convoy. However, it had left the choice of Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the government. That being so, Naidu wants the government to name police officer of his choice as CSO.

It is also directed that a decision should be taken in a period of three months on the differences between the National Security Guards (NSG) and the police force over who should take charge of the inner security cover.

The new government of YSRCP had scaled down Naidu's security in July. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief had challenged the move on the basis that he still faces threat to his life from Maoists.

In Tirupati in 2003, Naidu had escaped assassination attempt by Maoists when he was the Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh.

However, Advocate General S. Sriram had told the court that the government did not cut down 'Z plus' security to Naidu and submitted the details related to it. The court was informed that Naidu was being provided security with 74 personnel, though he as the Leader of Opposition is eligible only for 58.

By Sowmya Sangam