Dacoit issues death threat to ex-minister, family

Morena, MP, Dec 5 (UNI) Former Madhya Pradesh minister Adal Singh Kansana and his family have been issued a death threat by dacoit chieftain Jagjivan Parihar, who carries a reward of Rs 5 lakh and is active on the Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan borders.

The security detail was consequently enhanced at the Kansana residence. ''The threat was issued from a cellphone yesterday and the caller identified himself as Parihar. Mr Kansana complained to me over telephone. The threat call's details are being gathered,'' Superintendent of Police Yogesh Chaudhry said here today.

Meanwhile, Inspector-General (Chambal Range) Vijay Yadav confirmed that the number was linked to Parihar. An investigation revealed that the call, which lasted about 25 minutes, was made from a ravine near Sharda village. For the past few days, the area is Parihar's refuge.

Earlier, Mr Kansana's Personal Assistant Shrinivas received a few calls.

Mr Kansana's opposition to the Gadaria gang led to the receipt, on November 11, of a handwritten letter ostensibly from those bandits. The missive, found outside the ex-minister's house and bearing a postmark dated November 11, said that the Kansana family would be eliminated within two months.

The police suspect that the letter was actually written by a Parihar gang member.

At a press conference this afternoon, Mr Kansana demanded police personnel for the security of his Bhopal residence and village-resident family.

''If the government is unable to bear the financial burden of stationing these personnel, I am willing to make a payment. I will ensure the security of my house here but lack of security at my village will affect farming and other work. I have lost faith in the local police, which is hand-in-glove with Parihar,'' he alleged.

Trashing the accusation, Mr Yadav said, ''let him produce proof.'' UNI XC-AC 1612