Maharashtra govt steps up security for Anna Hazare

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has further beefed up the 'Z' security cover of social activist Anna Hazare in view of letters threatening him with dire consequences.

"Anna Hazare has been accorded 'Z' category security from some time now. We have been conducting a security audit of Anna time-to-time and in spite of that he is receiving threat letters. Looking at all these threat letters being received by him, we have provided him two additional escorts and the security in his office and residence has been further heightened," Minister of State for Home Ram Shinde told PTI.

Police have taken cognisance of the latest threat letter received by the Gandhian and an inquiry is being conducted into the matter, he said.

"The government will leave no stone unturned to ensure he remains safe," Shinde said.

A threat letter which Hazare received yesterday carried the name of one Mahadeo Panchal from Latur district and was posted from Osmanabad.

The letter had warned Hazare that he will meet the fate of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar, who was killed in Pune two years back.

Another threat letter received nearly a fortnight back stated that Hazare would be "bumped off" if he does not dissociate himself from Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal.

Reacting to the threat letters, Hazare said that he will not be cowed down by such threats and will carry on his work despite such threats to his life.