Governor gives clarion call for central investigation into gold smuggling controversy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: By levelling the 'anti-national' charge against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor Arif Khan is clamouring for a central government investigation. According to the Governor, the Chief Minister never cared to stop it nor inform Raj Bhavan, despite knowing the ill deals of gold smuggling that were continuing with impunity for three years.

Governor Arif Muhammed Khan openly told the media that the Chief Minister is the patron of such forces. The Governor will include this in the special report to be sent to the President and would beseech an investigation by central agencies including the NIA. The diplomatic gold smuggling case was previously investigated by the NIA.

The governor reiterated that law and order maintenance is a state matter and expressed doubts about the surreptitious activities of CM Pinarayi Vijayan. The Governor also juxtaposed this to the CM’s action preventing the Chief Secretary and DGP from meeting the Governor at the Raj Bhavan.

The Governor sends a monthly report to the President, Prime Minister, Vice President and Home Minister about the general situation in the state. The gold smuggling will be the crux of the next special report.

The interview in ‘The Hindu’, the intervention of the PR agency and the dubious details from the police website will also find a place in the report.

1. The Ministry of Home Affairs will seek a report from the Chief Secretary on the Governor's report.

2. After receiving the reply, the conflict between the two arguments will be studied and the further course of action will be decided.

3. On the recommendation of the Governor, the inquiry by the Central Agency may be directed.