Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Home Minister Amit Shah on “security issues” faced by Rahul Gandhi during the Assam leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, asking him to ensure the party leader’s safety.
In his letter to Shah on Tuesday night, Kharge said there have been several instances where the Assam Police has been found wanting in providing adequate security to Gandhi, who is entitled to Z+ security. Z+ is the highest level of security in India with a team of 55 armed personnel.
The letter comes after Congress leaders were booked for “wanton acts of violence” by the Assam Police. On Tuesday, Assam Police registered a case against Gandhi and other Congress leaders for instigating a crowd to launch an attack on Guwahati police.
Police on Tuesday didn’t allow the Gandhi-led Yatra to enter the city, triggering protests from irate Congress workers who removed security barricades on the outskirts of the city.
Listing out the incidents during which security issues were faced by Gandhi, Kharge said on the first day of the Yatra in the state, Assam Police was found protecting the posters of the BJP in Amguri, Sibsagar district instead of ensuring safe passage for the Yatra.