Punjab Police to Roll Back Additional Security for Kejriwal

The Punjab police have decided to withdraw additional security personnel assigned to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, the state police chief said on Thursday. "Time to time, we get reports of threats to chief minister Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal and we share them with the concerned agencies. "

Following the directions of the Delhi police and the Election Commission today, we withdrew the component of the Punjab police in the security of Kejriwal ji," Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav told reporters in Patiala. "We showed our concerns to them. We will remain in touch with them. We will share our inputs with the Delhi police," he said.

The decision to alter the security arrangements of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal comes after concerns were raised by the Delhi police about the involvement of Punjab's security forces in providing protection to Kejriwal outside the state.

The concerns were raised after the Delhi police received a letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) advising against deploying Punjab Police personnel in Kejriwal's security detail while he is in Delhi. The letter was reportedly a recommendation from the MHA, suggesting the Delhi Police against deploying personnel from the Punjab Police in Kejriwal's security ring. According to reports, this recommendation was issued following a proposal from the Punjab Police to provide security personnel from their force during Kejriwal's visits to Delhi.

Arvind Kejriwal enjoys Z-plus security from the Delhi Police, which entails a team of 60 personnel consisting of personal security officers, two escorts, watchers, armed guards, and frisking staff.

Last week, the Delhi Police received a letter from the MHA stating that the proposal to deploy Punjab Police personnel in Kejriwal's security detail should be rejected. However, in a recent turn of events, the Punjab Police shared inputs with the Delhi Police on Tuesday indicating that there may be a potential threat from pro-Khalistani elements.

According to reports, the Punjab Police sent a letter stating that they had received reliable information that pro-Khalistani terrorist groups based abroad have planned to target Arvind Kejriwal. The letter stated, "...as per reliable input, pro-Khalistani element terror groups based abroad have immediate plans to target Arvind Kejriwal, former CM Delhi." The input further mentioned that two unidentified youths from Punjab may be involved in the attack and that they have likely entered Delhi.

In light of the new information, the Delhi Police has instructed its personnel in Kejriwal's security detail to remain vigilant.

The development comes ahead of the elections for the 70-member Delhi Assembly on February 5. The poll results are set to be declared on February 8.