Thiruvanathapuram/Kozhikode: The Kerala Government on Wednesday ordered a probe by the DGP into reports of withdrawal of two Muslim policemen from duty during BJP leader LK Advani's visit to Kozhikode on Tuesday.
Following protests from the Indian Union Muslim League, the Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan ordered the probe.
While IUML demanded a high-level probe, the Kozhikode City Police Commissioner stoutly denied that the exclusion was on religious grounds as altogether six drivers had been dropped in the final round.
According to City Police Commissioner Anup Kuruvilla John, a total of 12 police drivers were chosen for the motorcade, comprising six vehicles during the trial run.
On Advani's arrival, six drivers were dropped which included non-Muslims also, he said. Only that out of the six, two happened to be from the minority community, he said.
Reacting to the report, IUML leader PK Kunhalikutty said, “This is a very serious incident and a shame on a state like Kerala." He demanded probe into the incident.
"If at all such an incident had taken place, then it is a shame on the entire state and on the entire nation," Kunhalikutty told reporters at Kozhikode.
Some media reports had said two police drivers, who were on duty at the Vikram Maidan at West Hill here, where Advani was scheduled to arrive were withdrawn minutes before his arrival, reportedly at the instructions of SPG personnel.
The police were taken unawares on Tuesday when Advani's helicopter, which was to arrive at Vikram Maidan, landed at Karipur airport by mistake and was later flown to the Maidan.
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