New Delhi: BJP MLA Sangeet Som has been given Z category security by the Central Reserve Police Force only within Uttar Pradesh, Ministry of Home Affairs sources told.
Elite Security cover was provided to Som keeping in view the intelligence inputs of threats to his life.
Sangeet Som is accused of inciting violence and giving communally-charged speeches in Muzaffarnagar.
Som is the BJP MLA from Sardhana in Meerut, and is an accused in the Muzzafarnagar riots case. He was jailed after he was booked under the National Security Act for allegedly circulating a fake video on social media that fuelled tension before the riots.
Opposition Congress and other political parties have questioned and expressed their displeasure over the decision.
Congress leader and former I and B minister Manish Ttiwari said it is "ironical that riot victims are homeless and an accused is being given security."
The Samajwadi Party also said that the decision to provide security to a riot accused is 'unfortunate'
BJP's Spokesperson Shah Nawaz Hussain defended the government's decision, saying security is given after analyzing the threat perception against a particular person.
