Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray Tuesday slammed the high level of securityand 'special treatment' accorded to Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lonePakistani terrorist captured during the Mumbai attacks, and demanded that histrial be wrapped up within a month.

In a scathing editorial in Saamna, the party mouthpiece, Thackeray saidthat a huge amount of tax-payers' money has been wasted in providing securityto 'Kasab Saheb' (Kasab Sir).

'So much security is not even provided to the country's prime minister.All this because we want to prove to the world that we are such a strongdemocracy and that we will give an opportunity of defence to even those whoattack us and destroy our country,' the signed editorial noted.

Thackeray alleged that with the Indian government taking care of all hisneeds, Kasab - who appeared in court wearing jeans, T-shirt and perfume - musthave started loving life in an Indian prison as compared to impoverishedPakistan.

Hence, 'Kasab Saheb' has suddenly remembered that he is below 18 yearsof age, and that the motive was to capture Jammu and Kashmir after thegovernment appointed lawyer S.G. Abbas Kazmi to defend him.

'At this rate, the trial will go from lower courts to higher courts andthen for a presidential pardon, as in the case of Afzal Guru,' the editorialpointed out. It urged that the trial be completed within a fortnight to amonth; Kasab should be given punishment against which he cannot appeal in anyhigher court and the matter be disposed of.

Thackeray also said that not a single paise should be paid as fees tothe concerned legal people - Special Judge M.L. Tahilyani, Special PublicProsecutor Ujjwal Nikam and government-appointed defence lawyer Kazmi.

'For rendering this service, they will not suffer much and the publicwill ultimately reward them. The government must not be burdened with theexpenses of the trial. First decide the date of hanging 'Kasab Saheb' thenconduct the trial accordingly,' the edit said.