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Uttaranchal to make Baba Ramdev feel safer
By Onkar Singh in New Delhi
May 31, 2006 10:50 IST

Uttaranchal plans to modify security arrangements for Baba Ramdev following the arrest of a freelance journalist who allegedly sneaked into the religious leader's helicopter in Himachal Pradesh last weekend.

A decision in this regard will be taken once a special team of the Uttaranchal police, which is investigating the incident, submits its report.

Uttaranchal Director General of Police Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya told rediff.com over the telephone that the yoga guru had been provided with two gunmen for security when he travels within the state.

"We gave him two gunmen in March 2005 after assessing the threat perception. These men travel with him in the state. But when he goes out, it is the duty of the other state to provide him with personal security officers," she said.

"We will re-assess his security once I get a report from my team that has already reached Hamirpur (in Himachal Pradesh) on Monday night. This team would understand the developments and check with the Superintendent of Police, Hamirpur, and report to me. Then we would certainly have another look," she said.

Baba Ramdev had filed a petition in the Delhi high court a few weeks ago and asked for Z- plus security -- the highest category -- for himself. But the court rejected the plea. It asked the yoga guru to approach it in person in case he felt threatened.

Onkar Singh in New Delhi
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