Karunakaran demands judicial inquiry into security lapse

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 2 (UNI) Democratic Indira Congress(K) leader K Karunakaran today demanded an impartial inquiry into reasons for diversion of the pilot vehicle of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's convoy from the original route during his visit to Kerala.

Talking to newspersons here, he said the Government should order a judicial or departmental inquiry by Chief Secretary or Secretary into lapses in providing security arrangements to Dr Singh.

Mr Karunakaran alleged that though the Government had asked the Additional Director General of Police to submit a report within 48 hours, the report would not be neutral, as the DGP was responsible for the security lapse.

Alleging that there was a serious lapse in ensuring security to the Prime Minister, he said in the wake of a threat to his life, State Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, should not have left the State during the period.

He said, Mr Balakrishnan should have accompanied the Prime Minister up to Raj Bhavan and added that he did not expect such a poor performance from the concerned Minister.

Regarding the engagement of a taxi driver to drive the pilot vehicle of Prime Minister's motorcade, he said he had not heard such a practice during his 15-year tenure in the Home Department.

On the denial of a chance to share the dais with Dr Singh at the golden jubilee celebrations, he said 'some people played behind it.' Mr Karunakaran said there are only three living former Chief Ministers of Kerala, including himself when the State was formed. He had taken part in the discussions with late Sardar Vallabai Patel, when the States were reorganised, he added.

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