The Hindu : National : "Officials risking Gowda's security"

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Friday, May 25, 2007
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"Officials risking Gowda's security"

Special Correspondent

Says the former Prime Minister not being given `Z' category security

PANAJI: The Janata Dal (Secular), making its electoral debut in Goa with 12 candidates in the fray for the Assembly polls, has criticised officials for allegedly compromising on the security of former Prime Minister and party president H.D. Deve Gowda.

Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, secretary-general Danish Ali reiterated Mr. Gowda's charge that there was a situation of "undeclared emergency" in the State. Officials, invoking the model code of conduct, were harassing JD (S) leaders and workers, he alleged.

On Sunday, some of the party office-bearers were arrested and allegedly ill-treated by the police after cash worth Rs. 9 lakh was seized from their hotel room in south Goa.

Protest

Mr. Gowda organised a protest dharna on Tuesday, saying the money was meant for election expenses and would be accounted for, while submitting the party's audited accounts.

On Mr. Gowda's security, Mr. Danish warned the officials not to take chances. The former Prime Minister was eligible for `Z' category security, but the officials had failed to provide it, despite the rule that only protocol and not security was withdrawn during elections, he said.

Mr. Gowda was provided with `Z' category security during his electioneering in other States such as Manipur and Uttaranchal.

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