R.R. Patil's security being reviewed after Maoist threat

The Maharashtra government is reviewing security for state Home Minister R.R. Patil following an open threat issued by Maoist guerrillas, a top official said here Friday.

"We have taken the threat seriously as it has been issued by the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee of the Communist Party of India-Maoist," Special Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Deven Bharati told IANS Friday morning.

"We have instructed district superintendents of police in the affected regions, especially Gadchiroli, of which he (Patil) is guardian minister, to take adequate measures, and also review security for all VVIPs visiting these regions," Bharati said.

The move comes following a blatant threat to several leaders issued by spokesperson of the Dandakaranya committee, Gudsa Usendi, in a statement following the May 25 attack on a Congress convoy in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region.

"Today, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, Home Minister Nankiram Kanwar, Ministers Ramvichar Netam, Kedar Kashyap, Vikram Usendi, Governor Shekhar Dutt, Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil etc.; DGP Ram Niwas, ADG Mukesh Gupta and other senior officials of the police, who are hell-bent on crushing the revolutionary movement of Dandakaranya, are in the big illusion that they are unbeatable.

"Mahendra Karma also has kept the illusion that Z plus Security and bullet-proof vehicles would save him forever," Usendi said.

Home department sources said that in view of the tone and tenor of the statement, the government would not take any risks as far as security in Gadchiroli, the district worst-hit by Maoist menace in Maharashtra, and its surroundings, was concerned.

Last Saturday, top Congress leaders, including Karma, were killed and many others injured in one of the worst Maoist attacks in Chhattisgarh.