MPs protest use of sniffer dogs at Rajghat, demand apologies

New Delhi, Mar 3 (UNI) Opposition MPs in both houses of Parliament today virulently protested the use of sniffer dogs by US security personnel to comb Rajghat premises before the visit of President George Bush.

Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, Shailendra Kumar (Samajwadi Party) took serious exception to the 'desecration' of the Gandhi Samiti where the US security had let the dogs take a round of the 'samadhi' of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi yesterday before the visit.

Brandishing a copy of the newspaper which reported the incident in its front page, he almost rushed into the well of the house, asserting that the incident ''tantamounts to utter disregard to the dignity of the nation.'' Mr Kumar demanded that both President Bush and the US security personnel apologise.

In the Rajya Sabha also, members also protested against US securitymen using sniffer dogs.

However, Minister of State for Personnel Suresh Pachouri, attempting to calm the members, said it was a standard security drill which is followed before foreign dignitaries visit Rajghat.

The practice started after the failed assassination attempt on former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, he said.

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