Kerala govt awaits CS report on security lapse: Minister

Kochi, Nov 4 (UNI) Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today said the government was awaiting the report of State Chief Secretary (CS) Lizzie Jacob before deciding on what action to take regarding the 'security lapse' during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit this week.

Talking to reporters here, at a function to observe the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Kerala High Court, Mr Balakrishnan said the government had directed the Chief Secretary to conduct a probe into the route diversion of the Prime Minister's convoy from the airport to the Raj Bhavan on the night of October 31.

'If any security lapse is found, necessary action will be taken', he said.

The minister said the government had directed the Chief Secretary to conduct the probe as any action taken only on the basis of the the inquiry report of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jacob Punnoose could become controversial.

Refusing to divulge details about the ADGP's inquiry report, submitted to the government yesterday, Mr Balakrishnan said the government will ensure that such incidents do not happen again.

Earlier, in an interview to a television channel here, Mr Balakrishnan said in future, government vehicles and drivers would be used to lead VIP convoys.

On the night of October 31, a Tourist taxi-driver Shiju, driving the pilot vehicle, had led a part of the Prime Minister's convoy away from the designated route, causing panic and a security alert.

Before the driver could stop the pilot vehicle, eight other vehicles in the convoy also entered the wrong road, leaving the Prime Minister and others stranded for about five minutes.

Senior police officials, including Kerala Director General of Police Raman Sreevastava had a tough time in returning the convoy to the original route.

A sub-Inspector Balachandran, who was in charge of the Prime Minister's convoy, was suspended.

Mr Shiju, taken into custody immediately by the police, was released the next morning after questioning. The driver claimed that he had followed instructions given to him by the police officer piloting the convoy.

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