Kerala chief minister rejects request for another security vehicle

Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has rejected a police request to add another security vehicle to his convoy following recent protests by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha activists. Official sources said Satheesan told police on Wednesday that he needed only the existing pilot vehicle and one escort vehicle.

The police had sought the additional vehicle after BJYM activists staged black-flag protests against the chief minister and other ministers. On Wednesday morning, activists attempted to jump in front of Satheesan’s convoy as he returned from the airport in Thiruvananthapuram and waved black flags at him. His official car was accompanied by the pilot and escort vehicles.

The clarification followed reports that Satheesan had been unhappy when an additional police vehicle appeared to be travelling with his convoy while he was going to an event. Senior police officers later told him that the vehicle was not part of his convoy and had inadvertently travelled ahead because it was heading to the same location. The chief minister’s decision means there will be no additional security vehicle beyond the existing arrangement, according to the official sources cited.

The reports did not provide further details about the protests or any injuries. The police request came amid repeated demonstrations by BJYM activists targeting Satheesan and other ministers. The source material did not specify the issues behind the protests.

Satheesan’s instruction leaves the pilot and escort vehicles as the stated security arrangement for his official car. The decision also distinguishes the vehicle that appeared ahead of his convoy from the additional vehicle police had proposed in response to the protests.