"You should not let these men (politicians ) to come out. Their presence in public places itself threatens the common men. I do not know why it has become a matter of prestige for them to move with 10-15 uniform security personnel carrying lethal weapon," a Bench comprising Justice T S Thakur and Justice Veena Birbal told the Centre.

The court made these harsh observations while expressing displeasure over the inconvenience the public have to put up by the overwhelming presence of security guards accompanying politicians at public places.

The Court's observation came while hearing a PIL on police reforms seeking separation of force into two wings to deal with law and order and Investigation independently.

In sharp remarks laced with sarcasm, the judges could not hide their dismay when they said, "If these people feel so threatened they should not come out in public places."

The judges said they(politicians) were not a national asset which should be protected and if they were, the citizens would protect and there was no need to be threatened by them(public).