Kochi (Kerala): After a fire was reported in the protocol section of the General Administration Department in the Secretariat on Tuesday, which led to the gutting of office files, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala claimed that it is "sabotage" to hide files pertaining to the gold smuggling.
"This is sabotage. It is an act to hide files related to gold smuggling. This includes files related to Embassies, Consulates, Raj Bhavan, guest house booking, protocol. Those are all paper files. The Home Secretary, Revenue Secretary and GAD Secretary said there were no backup files available for these files. It was heard that a number of files were taken away. Some of them have also got stole," he said.
The truth will not come out if the Chief Secretary or any IAS official inquires. The NIA should investigate this. The United Democratic Front (UDF) will demand this,"he added.
Security beefed at Kerala secretariat
The Kerala government on Wednesday decided to strengthen security at the secretariat, a day after a minor fire there triggered protests by opposition parties, which alleged that important files, including that relating to the gold smuggling case, had been destroyed.
Continuing their protests, workers of opposition UDF, including youth congress, BJP, Yuva Morcha, Indian Union Muslim League, the Youth League, Pathikajathi Morcha hit the streets over the incident, which turned violent at some places, following which police registered cases against them.
Read:Kerala government constitutes panel to probe fire incident in state Secretariat