It is reported that the Central Government is examining the issues including providing DGP security to the diplomatic representatives at the UAE Consulate without informing the Ministry of External Affairs. By law, states’ relations with foreign consulates must be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, in the case of the UAE Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram, the Central Government has assessed that the rules have not been followed.
In addition to the UAE, the state has consulates in the Maldives and Sri Lanka, and honorary consulates in Russia and Germany. However, the DGP provided police security only to representatives of the UAE Consulate. With the exception of the UAE, the four consulates and government officials have not been directly contacted or found to have committed any such offense.
The only general recommendation is to provide security for consulates. However, it is up to the Ministry of External Affairs to decide the extent of this. Diplomatic agencies usually do not provide police with personal security. The gun was issued by the state police chief on the basis of a letter requested by the UAE Consulate General. However, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the DGP alone could not make a decision in this regard.
Permission must be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide security to individuals at consulates. Diplomatic missions are usually licensed on the basis of intelligence that they pose a security threat. However, DGP Loknath Behra appointed Gunman to the diplomatic missions at the consulate without informing the foreign ministry.
The Center is investigating allegations that the minister, on behalf of the state government, and the police chief took a special interest in the UAE consulate in matters of security. According to the Central Government, Minister KT Jalil has interfered in the Consulate by violating the guidelines of the Ministry of External Affairs. It is learned that he will seek an explanation from the Chief Secretary if he finds out the facts.
