After Modi’s itinerary is leaked, MHA issues strict advisory to states

“During the Prime Minister’s visit to Alrajpur, Madhya Pradeshon August 9, 201, the minute-to-minute programme of his visit issued by SPG was found circulating.

The Union Home Ministry has directed state governments to strictly adhere to the Official Secrets Act (OSA) to maintain secrecy of classified documents and VVIP programmes.

The advisory was issued after minute-to-minute details of a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi were found circulating on social media. This is the second time that such an advisory is being issued.

The Ministry for Home Affairs issued the advisory following a visit made by Modi to Madhya Pradesh in August last year. Every details of the visit that was issued by the Special Protection Group was circulating on chat groups before the date of the visit.

Modi had on August 9, 2016 visited the birthplace of freedom fighter Chandrashekhar Azad at Bhabra in Alirajpur district . The visit was held to commemorate the sacrifices of freedom fighters on the Quit India day and launch the 'Azadi 70 Saal-Yaad Karo Qurbani' programme. In January this year Chief Secretaries and Director Generals of all states and Union Territories were made aware of the "leakage".

"During the Prime Minister's visit to Alrajpur, Madhya Pradesh on August 9, 201, the minute-to-minute programme of his visit issued by SPG was found circulating in the State on Whatsapp mobile application, breaching security instructions," the letter issued by MHA on January 13 states.

The MHA advisory stated that, "Several instances of leakage of sensitive security documents of classified category circulating on social media have come to notice in the recent past. Such leakages of secret official documents of visit proramme have serious security implications and can lead to any untoward incidents."

OneIndia News