Home Minister Amit Shah urges Owaisi to accept Z security

Home Minister Amit Shah informed the Rajya Sabha that as per the government's assessment, Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi still faces a security threat and has urged the AIMIM chief to accept the offer of 'Z' category security cover from the central government.

Shots were fired at Owaisi's car last week while he was returning from campaigning for this month's Uttar Pradesh election. "There is a threat to Owaisi's security... the government has decided to provide 'Z' category security (with a bullet-proof) car but Owaisi has refused. I request, through the members of the House, that he accept this cover," Shah told Parliament.

"Two unidentified people fired on the motorcade. Owaisi came out safe but there were three bullet marks on (the) lower sections of his vehicle. The incident was witnessed by three witnesses and a First Information Report, or FIR, has been registered," the Home Minister said.


Two people have been arrested so far in connection with the case. The police have recovered two pistols and have also seized a Maruti Alto car. "The accused are being interrogated... police have visited the spot," Shah said, underlining, ahead of elections in the state, that "law and order is under control in UP".

"Owaisi had no prescheduled event in Hapur district... no information about his movement was sent to District Control Room beforehand," Amit Shah added.

Owaisi had previously turned down the offer of 'Z' security cover, which is the second-highest level of protection. "I don't want 'Z' category security. I want to be an A-category citizen. Why was UAPA not invoked against those who fired at me?" he asked. "I want to live, to speak. My life will be safe when the poor are safe. I will not get scared of those who shot at my car," Owaisi had argued in the Parliament last week.