Police interrogating Swami's co-passenger

Hamirpur, May 28 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh Police has arrested and is interrogating a Jalandhar-based ''journalist,'' who claimed he had been engaged by a terrorist outfit to assassinate yoga guru Swami Ramdev.

The youth, Gaurav, who arrived here in the same helicopter as the Swami and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, was detained last night from a rest house where the Swami was staying.

However, describing him as a 'bhakt' of the Swami, Gaurav's family members said his arrest was ''politically motivated,'' and he was ''no terrorist.'' His maternal uncle Ajay Kapur said that Gaurav stayed in the company of Ramdev during his four day stay at Jalandhar early this week. ''Gaurav attended all the programmes of the Baba and I think Ramdevji knew him well,'' he added.

Hamirpur ASP Yashbir Pathania said the police was interrogating the youth and a case under Sections 420, 467,468 and 471 of the IPC had been registered against him.

''The youth was detained as his activities were found to be suspicious and interrogated,'' he said, adding that during the questioning, he claimed that he had been engaged by a terrorist outfit trying to kill Ramdev.

However, Mr Pathania also said that the youth kept changing his statements and giving different versions in ''an attempt to mislead.'' Mr Pathania said several identity cards of various media organisations and security agencies have also been recovered from his possession, but a senior state police official, on condition of anonymity, said the youth seemed nothing more than a small-time journalist.

DIG Mandi Range Yog Raj is also on his way here to review the security arrangements of the Swami and interrogate the arrested youth.

Jalandhar SSP Ishwar Singh, when contacted, said that on the information of the Himachal Pradesh police, they had checked out the antecedents of Gaurav, who was a stringer for a local weekly 'Divya Times'.

Gurav has no previous criminal background. His father Ashok Kumar told the police that his son was out of station. The proprietor of 'Divya Times,' Mr Sheetal Vij maintained that Gaurav did not work for him, but often visited the office to deliver press notes.

The week long Yoga Camp began here this morning with the Chief Minister assuring tight security for the Swami during his stay in the state.

Admitting that it was security lapse, Mr Singh said the incident happened due to a misunderstanding between the security officials of the state government and the Swami's personal security.

''The officials thought the youth was a part of the Swami's entourage, while his security people thought he was a state official,'' he said.

Earlier, the chief minister officially inaugurated the seven-day yoga camp under the aegis of Divya Yog Mandir Trust here.

Two former chief ministers, Shanta Kumar and Prem Kumar Dhumal, were also present on this occasion and also took part in the two and half hour long yoga programme.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Singh said his government was considering a proposal to introduce yoga classes in the schools to keep students fit and healthy.

UNI XC/AS HS VD RK1638