Sheila Dikshit’s security up after threat

NEW DELHI - Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit’s security has been stepped up after the police got an anonymous call stating her life was in danger. But an unruffled Dikshit said she was not worried.

Delhi Police have beefed up Dikshit’s ‘Z’ category security cover following the telephone call Thursday night saying her life was in danger.

“We got a call at 11 p.m. The caller said the chief minister’s life was in danger for the next 72 hours. As a precaution we have stepped up her security,” a Delhi Police official said.

The police are trying to trace the caller.

The official declined to give details of the additional security provided to the chief minister. Those under Z category security cover get 22 personnel to protect them.

Dikshit, who has been chief minister of Delhi since 1998, said she was not worried.

“I don’t have any fear. I am not worried,” she told reporters on the sidelines of a function in the capital.

Asked if she needed additional security, Dikshit said it was not her duty.

“Actually I wanted to cut down my security.”

An official in the chief minister’s office said Dikshit was attending her engagements as per schedule.

Indian VIPs are given protection under four categories — Z+, Z, Y, X.

The VIPs given Z+ cover get a security cover of 36 personnel. Those with Y and X categories are provided 11 and two personnel respectively.