Why security to Poes Garden: MK Stalin

Chennai: Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin on Saturday demanded the withdrawal of police protection to Poes Garden residence of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalalithaa, since no one holding constitutional powers is residing in the house now. He also warned that his party would resort to legal action if the illegal security is not withdrawn.

He urged the DGP to stop such violation of powers and pointed out that the number of policemen is Not sufficient to maintain law and order at a time when murders and robberies are on the rise in the state. Efficient policemen should be sent to suitable duties instead of wasting them in unnecessary work.

There are 240 policemen including a superintendent of police, four additional superintendents, four deputy superintendents and seven inspectors deployed for security in three shifts, he said.

They are permanently staying in the house opposite the former Chief Minister’s residence and food to them is served from the police mess at Adyar Boat Club area. The policemen are being given Rs 6,000 as risk allowance and police quarters is allocated to them in any area of their choice in the city. They are allowed to use cars and two-wheelers for their duty, but those policemen involved in tough tasks like law and order maintenance and traffic regulation do not get such concessions, Stalin said.

Besides, another 60 person deployed for Chief Minister’s O. Panneerselvam have been asked to be in duty at Poes Garden also, in addition to ensuring the security of the Chief Minister.