Youth Congress workers staged a black flag demonstration before the convoy of Union Home Minister Amit Shah on September 26 in Kollam. The BJP alleged that it was a serious security lapse. Despite strong security arrangements, the protesters were able to break the security ring and reach near the minister’s convoy. It raises several serious questions.
BJP leader and MLA B.B. Gopakumar lodged a complaint with the Central Home Secretary and State Police Chief, demanding an urgent inquiry into the matter. A thorough inquiry should be ordered into the circumstances. It should be ascertained which officers were responsible for this lapse. There should be strict action against them.
Amit Shah visited Kollam on September 26 to address the birthday celebrations of Mata Amritanandamayi and to launch various schemes in a cooperative-related programme. The black flag protest occurred when he was travelling from the helipad in Kollam to Kundara.
The Youth Congress team, led by its state vice president Binu Chulliyil, reached in front of the Home Minister’s convoy, waved black flags and shouted slogans. Police took them into custody. But it is too serious that they could reach near the convoy despite tight security. It is a challenge to the security arrangements.
There are reports that there was an Intelligence report regarding the protests. Therefore, tight security had been arranged. Still, it was breached.
BJP leaders believe that the incident cannot be construed as an ordinary protest.
According to VIP security protocols, there should be strict precautions to make sure that no one enters the security zone. Since it is the case of a VVIP like the Union Home Minister, the lapse should be seriously looked into.
