KOLLAM/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : The stand-off between the Left government and Governor Arif Mohammed Khan took on an altogether new dimension on Saturday after the Union
government granted Z plus security cover by CRPF to Governor Khan, in the wake of his extrordinary wayside sit-in protest, in response to SFI’s black flag protest against him at Nilamel in Kollam.
Irked by the protest, the Governor stepped out of his vehicle and confronted the activists. Khan also called up Union home minister Amit Shah and apprised him of security lapse. Within half an hour, Amit Shah informed the Governor of CRPF security cover to him and Raj Bhavan. “After the Governor spoke to the home minister, the PMO and the Vice President also called up the Governor,” said an official. The unprecedented sit-in protest and central intervention, evoked a political slugfest in the state with the Governor and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan unleashing scathing attacks on each other.
Governor’s official ‘X’ confirmed of the Z plus security. “Union Home ministry has informed Kerala Raj Bhavan that Z+ security cover of CRPF is being extended to Hon’ble Governor and Raj Bhavan”. Soon Vinod Karthik, DIG, CRPF Pallipuram took charge of Governor’s security within hours. The Raj Bhavan confirmed that among a 55-strong security team, there will be 10 National Security Guard commandos as well.
The whole series of incidents unfolded at around 11 am, when the governor was en route to attend an event at Sadanandapuram Ashramam in Kottarakkara. The SFI workers waved black flags when the motorcade reached Nilamel. Khan stopped his vehicle and rushed towards the protesters and lashed out at them. In a dramatic turn of events, Khan sat on a chair in front of a teashop. He accused the police of providing protection to the agitators. He also rang up the state police chief and chided him for the double standards in handling protests against him and the CM. Meanwhile he directed his staff to call the PMO and the office of the Union home minister, instructing, “Please connect me to Amit Shah or anyone in the office. Alternatively, connect me to the Prime Minister’s office and get me in touch with Hiren Desai.” The governor wound up his protest, only after the police handed over a copy of the FIR against the SFI workers.
Later speaking to the media, Khan directed his ire at the government, accusing the CM of promoting lawlessness in the state to cover up the government’s failures. He accused the CM of instigating protests against him. “The CM directed the police to provide protection to SFI workers who staged black flag protest,” the Kerala governor alleged.
