Hakeem seeks legal redress for reduction in security personnel

[TamilNet, Saturday, 12 January 2008, 16:47 GMT]
Rauf Hakeem, leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) filed a petition Friday in Colombo Supreme Court stating that reducing security for him is a violation of human rights, simultaneously claiming a compensation of 100 million Rupees from the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL).

Mr.Hakeem filing the case through his attorney Mr.Arulpiragasam has demanded that his security should be immediately elevated to the original status.

While he was a cabinet minister, his security personnel included six Special Task Force (STF)personnel, 5 special ministerial security personnel and in addition police protection was provided to him as the leader of a party but after quitting his minister post the security was pruned down to just two police men, Hakeem said.

He also has stated that the security provided for his party offices in Ampaarai has been withdrawn.

Hakeem, in his petition, cited Gothapaya Rajapakse Secretary of defence and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) as respondents.

Two weeks back, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), the only Muslim opposition party (within and outside the parliament) said that the proposed elections in the East were not going to be fair elections as far as the Muslims were concerned. Rauf Hakeem, SLMC leader and parliamentarian said that the election move was a dishonest drama staged by the GOSL to rob the votes of Tamils and Muslims.

With the security for the members of parliament significantly reduced by the GOSL, it would be difficult to undertake election campaigns amid the threat posed by the armed groups operating in the East, added Hakeem.