Security on a par with Z-category for CM: Minister

Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has said that the government will provide security on par with Z-category to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has said that the government will provide security on par with Z-category to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

“A final decision on enhancing security measures and providing a bulletproof car will be taken in consultation with the Chief Minister,” he said. Thiruvanchoor said that the attack against Chandy was premeditated.

“A special investigation team has been constituted to probe into the attack. The 21 persons arrested in connection with the attack are CPM activists. The attackers had surrounded the Chief Minister’s car under the pretext of protecting him,” he said.

DGP to Submit Report

DGP K S Balasubramaniam will submit a report on the attack to Home Secretary in a couple of days.

It is learnt that the DGP has also been asked to submit a report on the security enhancement for the Chief Minister. “The report to the Home Department will be submitted in a couple of days. Security enhancement will also be recommended,” Balasubramaniam said.

The DGP said that he was waiting for the reports of ADGP North Zone Shanker Reddy on the security arrangements put in place in Kannur and that of North Zone IG Suresh Raj Purohit on the stone-pelting incident.

Chief Secretary E K Bharat Bhushan has also asked for a report from Home Secretary on the incident. He gave the direction at a high-level meeting held here. Home Principal Secretary L Radhakrishnan, DGP K S Balasubramaniam and ADGP T P Senkumar attended the meeting.

‘No Security Lapse’

Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan on Monday denied the reports of security lapse in connection with the attack on Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

Speaking in a meeting organised here by the District Congress Committee to protest against the incident, Thiruvanchoor said that the Home Department had intensified the security arrangements for the Chief Minister based on an Intelligence report that the CPM activists could create troubles. “As many as 1,054 police personnel were deployed in Kannur as part of beefing up the security measures for the Chief Minister, even though there were reservations against deploying such a huge number of police,” he said.

He also clarified that the arrest in connection with the incident was made after examining the details of video footage and nobody was booked without evidence. He added that CPM leaders at the Centre and state, including P K Sreemathi, K P Sahadevan, P Jayarajan and M V Jayarajan, who were present at the time of the incident, were well aware of the attack.

He also cautioned the CPM that it should not fancy that it can unleash violence in the state.  He also warned that the government would take tough stance if the LDF moves ahead with its decision to besiege the Cliff House indefinitely from December 9. He also called for the people to unite and act tough against the violent politics of the CPM.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com