Security personnel assigned lax in their duty: Anna Hazare

MUMBAI: Social activist Anna Hazare, who has been given Z category security cover, today alleged that the security personnel assigned to him were lax in their duty.

At the same time, he said the government need not upgrade his security and that he won't blame it if something untoward were to happen to him.

Hazare also said it was not easy to support a retinue of nine bodyguards and 28 police personnel at Ralegan Siddhi village (in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district), which has a population of around 2,500 people.

The activist said many a times, those tasked with his security aren't there or come late when he is doing his morning yoga exercise.

"They are also engrossed in their mobile phones and busy chatting. They won't even realise if someone were to walk in and kill me," he said.

"I faced death in Khemkaran sector during the Indo-Pak war. What I have got is a bonus. I will serve the country and society till I die," said the former soldier in Indian Army.

The anti-corruption crusader said increasing his security will put a financial burden on the state.

"The financial situation of the state is poor and increasing my security will pose an additional financial burden on it," Hazare said in a statement.

Hazare's statement comes amid several threat letters sent to him last year warning that he will be killed. The activist at present has 'Z' security.