Threat to Bitta's life escalated on raising Guru issue: Police

New Delhi, Jan 5 (UNI) The threat perception to AIATF chief M S Bitta has escalated in view of his strong stance against Sikh and Muslim terror outfits, particularly after taking up the issue of hanging of Parliament attack case convict Mohammad Afzal Guru, according to the Punjab Police.

The Police said the threat emanates from the use of explosive or bomb blasts on his convoy, place of meeting or residence.

In his communication to heads of various police, security and intelligence agencies, the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Punjab, said the latest intelligence inputs received from field units and interrogation of arrested militants continue to highlight a very high degree of threat perception to Mr Bitta.

''These reports reveal that the militants, particularly those belonging to Babar Khalsa International, continue to harbour the plans to eliminate Mr Bitta,'' he added.

The ADGP said the All India Anti Terrorist Front president's strong stance on the Sikh and Muslim terror outfits besides taking up the issue of hanging of Guru and ''utterances'' against fundamentalist organisations has increased the threat perception to his (Mr Bitta's) life.

''Mr Bitta is being advised to take all precautionary and safety measures. There is a very strong possibility of an attack on him at any place, including the convoy, meeting venue, residence, etc. The threat perception particularly emanates from the use of explosive or bomb blasts,'' he claimed.

The ADGP further said the security provided to Mr Bitta, who is already a ''Z+'' category protectee of the Centre and the Punjab government, need to be continuously reviewed to ensure that it ''is not found lacking'' in any way at any point of time.

Mr Bitta has also written a letter to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, informing him about the perennial threat to his life and sought foolproof security system and extra vigil to avert any ''untoward'' incident and prevent the loss of innocent lives.

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