NEW DELHI: Securing chief minister Arvind Kejriwal without his approval or knowledge is proving to be a headache for the police. Sources say twice the usual deployment of resources is needed at every place he visits, increasing the cost and complexity of operations.

A day after Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde said Kejriwal is being protected against his wish, the UP government announced it will give the Delhi CM, who lives in Ghaziabad, 'Z' category cover, round-the-clock security by three sub-inspectors, seven head constables, 10 constables and two drivers. However, the Delhi CM has not accepted this arrangement so far.

The UP security detail is based on an assessment of the threat to Kejriwal who lives with his family in a flat in Kaushambi, Ghaziabad. After his office there was attacked last week, the local intelligence unit in Ghaziabad was also asked to remain vigilant.

Although UP Police has informed Delhi Police about the security cover, how the arrangement will work once the CM enters Delhi is not clear. Pending a formal decision on his security, officers from Delhi Police's intelligence and special branches have to watch and anticipate Kejriwal's every movement once he enters the city. Luckily for them, he always uses his blue WagonR, which makes trailing him somewhat easier. Sources said every policeman on the CM's route knows the car's number.

Delhi Police might again request Kejriwal to accept security in the light of the chaos at his janata darbar on Saturday that placed him and other people at risk. "If not a 'Z' cover with pilots, PSOs and entourage, he must accept the minimum security needed to keep the crowd and miscreants away," a source said.

On Saturday, local cops, traffic police and three companies of paramilitary forces were deployed around the secretariat for the darbar. "We were told 1,000 people were likely to gather but could not anticipate the surge of around 20,000," said an officer. There was a security scare when people climbed the table and chairs around the unguarded CM. "Mischievous elements could have easily posed as complainants and reached near him," the officer said.

"A possible mishap was averted as the CM left the venue. Thanks to the location, he could be whisked away. At any other place, there would have been a security breach with no possibility of reinforcements," he added.

Saturday's chaos has confirmed the intelligence branch's threat assessment — first reported by TOI last Sunday — that Kejriwal faces a bigger threat from the crowd and miscreants than criminals.