The Hindu : New Delhi News : Ahamed flays removal of police drivers

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Thursday, Oct 16, 2008
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New Delhi

Ahamed flays removal of police drivers

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) president and Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed on Wednesday criticised the removal of two police drivers from Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani’s motorcade during his Kerala visit on Tuesday because they belonged to a minority community.

Reacting to newspaper reports – even as Kerala government ordered an inquiry into the incident – Mr. Ahamed said he spoke to Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta in this regard as the National Security Guards (NSG) comes under the direct charge of the Ministry. According to the Kerala Police, the two Muslim drivers were removed from the motorcade on the instructions of the NSG which provided Mr. Advani security cover.

Mr. Gupta, the Minister said, had asked the NSG Director-General to inquire into the matter and take appropriate action.

About the incident itself, Mr. Ahamed said: “Doubting the integrity of individuals just because they belong to a particular community is reprehensible.”

PTI adds: The Kerala government on Wednesday ordered a probe by the DGP into reports of withdrawal of two Muslim policemen from duty during Mr. Advani’s visit to Kozhikode.

Following protests from the Muslim League, State Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan ordered the probe.

While IUML demanded a high-level probe, the Kozhikode City Police Commissioner stoutly denied that the exclusion was on religious grounds as altogether six drivers had been dropped in the final round.

According to City Police Commissioner Anup Kuruvilla John, a total of 12 police drivers were chosen for the motorcade, comprising six vehicles during the trial run. On Mr. Advani’s arrival, six drivers were dropped which included non-Muslims also, he said. Only that out of the six, two happened to be from the minority community, he said.

Some media reports had said two police drivers, who were on duty at the Vikram Maidan at West Hill here, where Mr. Advani was scheduled to arrive by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, were withdrawn minutes before his arrival, reportedly at the instructions of SPG personnel.

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