Explain "lapses" in security for Rahul: Home Min

NEW DELHI: Union Home Ministry has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to explain the alleged slackness in the security of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his visit to Kanpur on Friday last.
     
In a letter to Uttar Pradesh Police, the Home Ministry has asked them to give a detailed report as to how Rahul, who enjoys highest category security cover, was allowed to proceed to a university function without a pilot and an escort vehicle.
     
The Home Ministry has asked UP Government what action had been taken against those responsible for the goof-up in the security of Rahul Gandhi.
     
Rahul, a protectee of elite Special Protection Group, was without a pilot or an escort car for a short while when he was in the city to attend a function of Chandrashekar Azad University.
     
His carcade was left without the mandatory escort and pilot cars and also the jammer, used to block any signal in case of a cell phone-triggered explosive device, was missing from the carcade. This is an important part of the VIP carcade especially of those who are SPG protectees.
     
Rahul is on hit list of militant groups especially Jaish-e-Mohammed as was told by Mohammed Abid, Yusuf and Mirza Rashid, arrested in Lucknow in November 2007 by personnel of the central security agencies.