MP to provide highest security to Jakhar

Protesting ABVP activists breached Governor8217;s security at a function last week

In the wake of unruly behavior by ABVP activists during a function attended by Governor Balram Jakhar last week, the Madhya Pradesh Government has decided to provide him the highest security.

ABVP activists, agitating for the removal of Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University Vice-Chancellor Kamlakar Singh Gaharwar, had breached the Governor8217;s security leading to a scuffle with his bodyguards.

With the Prof H S Sabharwal issue still fresh in mind, the Government is not taking any chances, especially when the Parishad has announced that it will continue to press for the V-C8217;s removal.

Till date, the security check at the venues of Jakhar8217;s meeting was routine. There was no liaisoning between the district administration and the local police. Now, there will be advance security liaisoning for every function he is scheduled to attend.

Like in the case of visiting VVIPs, the local police and the district administration will form a team and send an advance report to the police headquarters in Bhopal. The liaison team will visit the spot, take stock of the security arrangement, availability of space and inquire about the organisers and their activities.

IG security R K Shukla told The Indian Express on Wednesday that the security review was made in the wake of the incident involving ABVP activists. Shukla said a police team was already investigating the reasons behind the security lapse. A police officer has been suspended and two others served showcause notice by the district superintendent of police.

After last week8217;s ruckus by ABVP activists, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has made two 8220;courtesy visits8221; to Raj Bhavan. And Jakhar has urged the activists to raise the matter of V-C8217;s removal at an appropriate forum. He has already initiated a probe into the complaints against the V-C and

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Justice retd S K Chawla has been asked to submit the report within a month.

But, ABVP national secretary Vishnu Dutt Sharma said the Government was trying to divert attention from the real issue. 8220;When charges against the Vice-Chancellor have been proved, why is the administration not ready to penalise him?8221; he asked. According to him, no ABVP activist misbehaved with the Governor. 8220;Slogan shouting is not indecency, it also happens inside the Lok Sabha,8221; he said.