Shankar Rao wants only private security

HYDERABAD: Textiles minister P Shankar Rao who demanded more security in the wake of threatening phone calls received by him, has now sought withdrawal of security provided to him by the government. He faxed letters to the governor, chief minister, DGP and city police commissioner in this regard on Sunday.Talking to newsmen here, Rao said he took the decision after knowing that his phone was being tapped and his security men were passing on information about his movements from time to time to their higher-ups.“Henceforth, I will have private security,” the minister said.Though Rao alleged that his phone was being tapped, he did not name the persons behind it.The textiles minister said he would distribute his entire monthly salary to the families of Telangana martyrs, old age homes, orphanages and deaf and dumb.He purchased bed sheets worth Rs 56,000 to distribute them to the old age homes and orphanages.On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the minister distributed fruits and bed sheets to orphans, mentally challenged and inmates of an old age home at Bansilalpet.Earlier, he offered floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi on the Assembly premises.