CRPF denies security breach during Priyanka’s Lucknow visit

Lucknow, Dec 30 (IANS) The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has said that there was no security breach in Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s recent trip to Lucknow.

The CRPF, in a statement on Monday, blamed Priyanka for ‘violations’ by travelling as a pillion rider on a scooty.

The force, which provides her armed commandos under the ‘Z plus’ category, said the Congress leader undertook ‘unscheduled’ movement without intimation to the security personnel.

"Therefore, an advanced security liaison (ASL) could not be conducted," the CRPF statement said.

"During travelling, the protectee used non-bullet resistant civil vehicle without a personal security officer. The protectee took a lift in scooty as a pillion rider," the statement said and added: "Despite the security constraints, the CRPF provided appropriate security cover."

It further said: "Such security lapses have been communicated to the protectee and advised for ensuring proper security arrangements in future."

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was in Lucknow on Saturday when she was stopped from going to the residence of a jailed activist S. R. Darapuri. Priyanka moved ahead on foot and then rode pillion on a scooty.

She alleged that threats were issued to her security personnel by local police and that she was warned to restrict her movements.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is now protected by the CRPF after the Special Protection Group (SPG) security cover was withdrawn from the Gandhi family in November.