The Hyderabad City Police will provide two gunmen to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza in view of perceived threat from stalkers.
Naseema Mirza, Sania's mother, went to Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh managing director Sumita Dawra on Wednesday and informed that her 18-year-old daughter, who acquired celebrity status after her sensational singles triumph in the WTA Hyderabad Open last week, is facing a problem from autograph-hunters and stalkers and needs to be provided with security.
Immediately, Dawra took Naseema to the city Police Commissioner's office. They met Commissioner V Dinesh Reddy and explained the problem. The commissioner promptly agreed to post two gunmen at Mirzas' Banjara Hills residence. The gunmen will accompany Sania whenever she goes out.
"We will review the situation, depending on the threat perception and take whatever further action is required," the Commissioner is reported to have told Naseema.
It is learnt that in the last four-five days, a lot of people kept calling Sania over the phone and some enthusiastic fans even tried to gatecrash into her house. She was even accosted by people wherever she went.
Incidentally, Sania, who interacted with the media, including television channels for two hours on Tuesday, did not say anything about the security threat.