Pinarayi clarifies Chennai episode

New Delhi, Feb 17 (UNI) Kerala CPI(M) Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, from whose suitcase five rounds of live bullets were seized at the Chennai airport yesterday, said the episode was the result of "unforgetful forgetfulness." Talking to mediapersons here, he said he had put the .38mm live bullets in his bag when he removed them from the gun while giving it for renewal of licence two weeks ago.

"In fact, I had forgotten to remove the bullets from the bag before filling it with my clothes and other items for my journey to Delhi," Mr Vijayan, who was here to attend the Polit Bureau meeting of his party, said.

Mr Vijayan said he had explained to the authorities at the airport how the bullets had got into his bag. "I hope they are convinced." He said he had given a written statement to the authorities.

A copy of the gun licence was also faxed to them.

Mr Vijayan said he had bought a gun with his own money and got a licence in 1994. He had done this after he dispensed with the armed security guard provided by the Congress-led UDF government in 1991 in the light of series of killings between the Marxist and BJP workers in northern Kannur district in Kerala.

CISF personnel intercepted Mr Vijayan yesterday at the Kamaraj Domestic airport at Chennai when they found live catridges in the suitcase during scanning. He was to have boarded a Jet airways flight for Delhi. He, however, missed the flight due to the delay caused by the episode.

He told the CISF authorities that he had come to Chennai by train.

Mr Vijayan reached to Delhi this morning.

UNI