Centre allows Maya to take car upto aircraft

The Union Home Ministry has asked the Airports Authority of India to allow UP Chief Minister Mayawati...

The Union Home Ministry has asked the Airports Authority of India to allow UP Chief Minister Mayawati to travel right up to the aircraft at all airports in the country.

Talking to reporters here on Thursday, Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said Mayawati had demanded permission for travelling upto the aircraft in all airports. The Centre is also considering the alternatives suggested by the state Government for enhancing the security cover of the CM, he said.

The Centre had asked all the state governments to ensure that there was no violation in the parameters set for the security of Mayawati, he added.

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Replying to a question on Mayawati’s demand for making amendments in the SPG Act to provide her with its security, Jaiswal said the SPG is a special force. “Usko yadi popular bana diya jae to upayogita hi khatm ho jayegi (If it is made popular, it would lose its utility),” he told reporters. Any Act should be amended only after considering all possible results in the future, he said.

Jaiswal, who was here to participate in a workshop organised by the Pradesh Congress Committee, said the Centre had provided NSG security to all Chief Ministers who are facing threat. The terrorist groups are a disappointment lot because of their failure to execute any operation in Jammu and Kashmir. “Because of this frustration, they may strike in other places. We have alerted all the CMs and the VIPs. Their security arrangements have been tightened,” he said.

On the recent attack on CRPF’s Group Centre in Rampur, Jaiswal said there was laxity on part of both the CRPF and the state Government. “We took action against the CRPF officials and suspended two officers,” he said.

Later, addressing party leaders, he said the state governments must show a strong will to fight the menace of Naxalism. “The governments in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa are still to put in an effective check on the growth of Naxalism,” he told the gathering.