Threat to PM Modi before Kerala trip, security ‘ intelligence leak’ spark row

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A letter purportedly threatening an attack on PM Narendra Modi during his two-day trip to Kerala starting April 24 and an alleged “intelligence leak” pertaining to his security had police in a tizzy on Sunday and BJP at the Pinarayi Vijayan government’s throat.
While the origin and authenticity of the letter in Malayalam reported by state BJP chief K Surendran’s office was couched in mystery until evening, police admitted that details of deployment for the PM’s scheduled visit to Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram did get out somehow.
ADGP (intelligence) T K Vinod Kumar instituted a probe to find out how this information, shared only with select officers, became an alleged WhatsApp forward. The details include the number of cops meant to be deployed at each point, names of officers in charge of each strategic point, alternative arrangements in the event of an emergency and the routes the PM's convoy would take.

The allegedly leaked 49-page circular sent to select officials mentions the threat letter received by the state BJP chief’s office, besides potential threats from the banned Popular Front of India, PDP, Welfare Party and Maoists.

Union minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan termed the leak “highly serious”. He said CM Vijayan, who handles the home portfolio, couldn’t be allowed to “wash his hands of such a lapse”.