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George Fernandes to accept security cover

Defence Minister George Fernandes, who has all along been refusing to accept security cover despite pressure from the security agencies, has now changed his mind.

According to the Delhi police sources, Fernandes has agreed to have a security detail while on the move as well as at home. He has been given Z plus security.

Fernandes has been one of the country's most accessible ministers - anyone could walk right into his official residence in Delhi. There was no security, not even a gate at the entrance.

However, for this very reason, intelligence agencies were unhappy with the situation and considered him a sitting duck for terrorists.

When Tehelka.com broke the story about irregularities in defence deals, it was said that the absence of security cover enabled anyone and everyone to simply walk into the house of the nation's defence minister.

Intelligence agencies have for sometime been sounding the defence minister about the need for security cover due to the threat to him from Kashmiri terrorist outfits.

However, Fernandes would have none of it.

Hence, Fernandes's decision to accept security cover has come as a surprise for those who have known him for long.

Some politicians wondered if the developments of the last two days in Parliament have anything to do with his decision to accept security cover.

According to senior officers of the Delhi police, twenty-seven police personnel would be deployed round the clock at Fernandes's residence in three shifts.

Samta Party spokesman Shambhu Srivastav hoped that the security cover would not come between George Fernandes and the party workers.

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