Conflicting stances over security cover for Stalin

By R.K. Radhakrishnan

CHENNAI, JUNE 25. The ``Stalin security issue'' refused to die down with fresh evidence suggesting that the Home department was not taking into account what the special security CID, Chennai, had planned.

While the Home Secretary, Mr. Naresh Gupta, said there was no move to withdraw the security provided to the Chennai Mayor, the special security CID, on the other hand, had instructed his personnel security officer not to travel with him on his outstation trip on June 23 and 24. Mr. Stalin later cancelled the trip.

The issue snowballed last week, with the Mayor, Mr. M.K. Stalin, saying he did not require the ``scaled down'' security cover, being provided at the ``whims and fancies of the AIADMK Government.''

The Home Secretary on Sunday said the tenure of the security staff had been extended by one more year from July 1 and that the Government had not issued any instruction to withdraw the security.

Now, a letter written by the special security CID instructed that Mr. Stalin need not be provided security outside the State. A letter dated June 21, written by the ``SP SEC. CID Chennai'' to the Commissioner of Police, SP, Chengalpattu (East), DCP (Airport security), Meenambakkam, which outlined Mr. Stalin's tour programme added the ``additional PSOs of the Chennai city police who are now on protection of PP (Mr. Stalin) will continue the same till the PP leaves Chennai for Mumbai by air on June 23. Again they will take over protection of the PP at the Chennai airport on June 24 and continue the same until further orders.''

When contacted, Mr. Stalin said he did not want to ``keep answering questions on his security cover on a daily basis.'' ``There is nothing more to add. I have not received any letter stating the cover is being extended.''

Asked whether he was provided security cover when he had travelled out of the State earlier, Mr. Stalin said he was provided security arrangements as per the `Z' category guidelines. This category of protected people also enjoyed security cover wherever they went, he added.

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Section  : Southern States
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