NEW DELHI: The Congress-I on Thursday said the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi could have been averted if special protection group (SGP) cover had been provided and demanded an explanation from the National Front for withdrawing this arrangement last year when its government was in power.
Party spokesman Pranab Mukherjee told reporters that the reasons behind the withdrawal of the SPG and its impact on the security aspects of Gandhi should also be included in the terms of reference of the commission probing the assassination.
Asked why the party did not demand special protection for Gandhi from the Chandra Shekhar government which it supported for five months Mukherjee said the government was privy to intelligence information on threats {o Gandhi and should have on its Own restored the security arrangement. AT no stage had Gandhi refused SPG cover he said.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 7, 1991
