As he once again declined security cover, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday made an appeal in Parliament to AIMIM president and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi to allow security personnel to accompany him, days after bullets were fired at his vehicle in Uttar Pradesh.
Making a statement in Rajya Sabha on the attack on Owaisi's convoy in Thana Pilkhuwa in Hapur, Shah said the Centre reviewed threat perception after the incident and decided to give the Hyderabad MP 'Z' category security, which includes bullet-proof vehicle in Delhi and CRPF personnel securing him.
Shah said the Centre has on several occasions directed central agencies to provide security cover to Owaisi but he had declined. The “repeated endeavours” of Delhi Police and Telangana Police to provide security cover to Owaisi did not succeed on account of his “unwillingness” to accept it.
The Home Minister said a review of threat perception has been undertaken again and based on threat inputs, he has been provided with ‘Z’ category CRPF security cover on all india basis along with a bullet proof car in Delhi.
However, Shah added after completing his statement, "Owaisi is continuing to decline security cover. Through this House, I once again appeal to Owaisi to take the security cover."
Providing details about the incident near a toll plaza on February 3 at 5:20 pm, he said two persons had opened fire but Owaisi had escaped unhurt and returned to Delhi safely. He was returning after attending a public contact programme at Kithor in Meerut district.
During examination, he said, it was found that three bullets had hit his vehicle and there were three witnesses to the incident. He said the Hapur district administration did not know he had any pre-scheduled programme in Hapur and neither did the district control room have any prior information about his movement.
Shah said police arrested two accused in connection with the case and are being interrogated besides seizing two pistols and a car. The forensics team is investigating the place of incident and vehicle and evidence is being collected.
“The law and order situation in the district is under control and normal. Strict vigilance is being kept,” he said.
Shah said the Ministry of Home Affairs had sought a report from the Uttar Pradesh government, which it had submitted.