Z-category security cover for Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi: The Delhi Police has provided Z-category security cover, with at least 30 armed commandos, to chief minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal after he was elected the leader of the AAP legislature party, a police official said yesterday. "He has been given Z-category cover, which includes Delhi police's armed commandos.

They will be around 30 in number," a police officer said. "The security was deployed soon after his appointment as the leader of the AAP legislature party." A pilot car followed by two escort vehicles carrying security personnel will accompany Kejriwal during his movement day and night.

The AAP chief is set to take oath on February 14 at the Ramlila ground after his party swept the Delhi assembly elections by winning 67 of the 70 seats. Delhi police has been providing Z-category security to Kejriwal since last year when he was elected the chief minister, the official said.

"Regardless of Kejriwal's refusal to accept security, we have been providing him the facility since last year when he was elected Delhi's chief minister," he said. As per the protocol, the Delhi chief minister enjoys Z-category cover due to the threat perception and the number of security men on duty could go up.

When he resigned from his post, Delhi Police continued the same Z category security but only when Kejriwal was under its jurisdiction. Kejriwal, who lives in Ghaziabad, is currently protected by 12 police personnel, including an escort vehicle of the Uttar Pradesh police.

The Delhi police has already conveyed to its counterparts in Ghaziabad about the security arrangements made for Kejriwal. After he takes oath Saturday, other facilities such as deployment of traffic police motorcycles for clearance of roads for his convoy will be provided.