Rahul Gandhi Himself ‘Violated’ Security Protocol 113 Times: Govt Officials on Cong’s Security Concerns

“Full” security arrangements were made for Rahul Gandhi as per laid down guidelines, but they themselves “violated” security protocols 113 times since 2020, government officials said on Thursday, a day after the Congress alleged security breaches during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in the national capital.

The Congress on Wednesday wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah alleging security violations during the yatra in the city and sought immediate steps to ensure the safety of Gandhi and others who took part in the march.

“Full security arrangements have been made for Rahul Gandhi as per the guidelines,” officials said.

Rejecting the allegations, the officials said that the security arrangements made for the protectee work well when the protectee himself follows the prescribed security guidelines.

However, the officials alleged that violation of the laid down guidelines has been observed on the part of Rahul Gandhi on several occasions and this fact has been brought to his notice from time to time. For example, since 2020, 113 “violations” have been observed and duly communicated, officials said.

Besides, he said, during the Delhi leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi “violated” security guidelines and the CRPF, which provides Z-plus category security to her, would take up the matter separately.

During the visit of the protected person, necessary security arrangements are made by the CRPF along with the State Police and security agencies as per the guidelines.

An advisory based on the threat assessment has been issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs to all stakeholders including State Governments.

Officials said that an Advance Security Liaison (ASL) is also done for each journey.

He said that for the Delhi leg of Bharat Jodo Yatra on December 24, ASL involving all the stakeholders was organized on December 22 and all safety protocols were strictly followed.

He said that Delhi Police has informed that adequate deployment of security personnel has been made for this.

AICC general secretary KC Venugopal had said in a letter to Shah that “the government should not indulge in vendetta politics and should ensure the safety and security of Congress leaders.” that they were undercover security personnel from Haryana, who interrogated the participants of the yatra.

“The security of the yatra was compromised on several occasions after it entered Delhi on Saturday. He alleged that the Delhi Police completely failed to control the growing crowd and maintain a perimeter around Rahul Gandhi, who has “Z plus security”.

The situation was so dire that Congress workers and ‘Bharat Yatris’ accompanying Gandhi had to form a security cordon, he said, and claimed that “the Delhi Police remained mute spectators”.

Venugopal also demanded better security for the yatra as it is set to enter the sensitive states of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. The yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir will resume on January 3, 2023, after taking a nine-day break in Delhi.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)