MUMBAI, August 15: With every big and small film personality seeking police security, Mumbai police is stretching its resources to meet the demand. Security cover for threatened film producers and stars is likely to cost Rs 60 lakh annually.

Home Minister Gopinath Munde has said that the State Reserve Police will be roped-in to reinforce security in the city. Police Commissioner Subhash Malhotra said, ``We have some 17 SRP companies (about 2000 men)...we will discuss the matter with the director general of police at the earliest.''

In the wake of the brutal murder of music baron Gulshan Kumar, the commissionerate has been flooded with requests of security from the film industry. Every film producer, director, actor feels that his life is threatened.

Joint Commissioner of Police (crime) Ranjit Singh Sharma said about eight film personalities have been provided individual security cover, while 40 others have been covered under general security.

Over 100 police officers and men attached to various police departments including zonal police, crime branch and special branch have been assigned to cover the ``eight most vulnerable'' people. ``They have been provided elaborate security with police stations keeping a close watch on them in every way.''

Joint Commissioner of Police (law and order) Charan Singh Azad said the localities where a large number of film personalities live are also under constant surveillance.

According to a special IGP ``the exercise will cost a minimum of Rs 5 lakh a month to the police force.'' Azad admitted that the security cover provided to the film personalities will be an immense burden on the understaffed and overworked Mumbai police force. ``It does burden heavily...but it's part of our duty,'' said Malhotra.

While the allotted strength of Mumbai police is 41,000, only current strength of the force is 38,000 men, of which at least 2,000 are on leave, serving suspension orders or out on special assignments at any given point of time.

A senior police officer pointed out that in developed countries the police population ratio is 1:350. In Mumbai it is 1:1,200. "And abroad police do not have to protect statues," he added with a smirk.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.