Asaduddin Owaisi Rejects Z Security, Wants Anti-Terror Case Over Shooting
Asaduddin Owaisi's car was shot at while he was returning to Delhi after campaigning in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut a day ago.
New Delhi:
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), turned down an offer for the second highest ‘Z’ category security cover, a day after shots were fired at his car while he was returning to Delhi after campaigning in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut.
“I don’t want Z category security. I want to be an A category citizen, at par with you all. Why was UAPA not invoked against those who fired at me?” he said, referring to the tough anti-terror law that has been extensively used in recent times by BJP-led state governments and the centre, and according to critics, disproportionately against Muslims.
“I want to live, to speak. My life will be safe when the poor are safe. I will not get scared of those who shot at my car,” he said in parliament.
The government had decided to provide him with Z category security by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) after reviewing the threat level in the light of last night’s attack, just a week ahead of elections in Uttar Pradesh.
Two people have been arrested for firing at his convoy at Meerut’s Kithoudh area, police said, and have been sent to 14 days’ custody.
One of the accused is Sachin, a resident of Noida who has an earlier attempt to murder case against him.
In his Facebook profile, Sachin says he is a member of a Hindu right-wing organisation and calls himself “Deshbhakt Sachin Hindu”.
But uestions are being raised over his political affiliation after pictures emerged of his posters expressing support to BJP and multiple photographs from his Facebook profile showing him posing with political leaders from UP Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma to Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chief N Chandrababu Naidu.
The other accused is Shubham, a farmer from Saharanpur who does not have a criminal record.
According to police, the two have told them during questioning that they were upset with remarks made by Mr Owaisi and his brother and MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi.
Police have recovered country made pistols from them which they had recently purchased. Police are now looking for the people they bought the firearms from.
Images tweeted by Mr Owaisi from the toll plaza showed two bullet holes on his white SUV, which remains at the spot. The third bullet allegedly hit a tyre. The MP left the area in another car.
The AIMIM leader had addressed a public meeting in Meerut while campaigning for the Uttar Pradesh election starting February 10.
