Kochi Metro Inauguration: Prime Minister Modi Was Under Terror Threat, Says Kerala DGP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was under threat of terror attack during his recent visit to Kochi, Kerala police chief T P Senkumar has said. Modi was in the city on Saturday to flag off the maiden run of the Kochi Metro and took a ride on one of the trains in the fastest-built metro in the country.

"There was a big threat perception here on the day of the Prime Minister's visit (on Saturday).. There was a terror module here during his visit. We cannot disclose much of its details," Senkumar was quoted by Deccan Chronicle as saying. On being asked to explain the nature of threat, he said he could not elaborate further.

Responding to questions, Senkumar justified police action near the Kerala High Court against people who were protesting against a gas terminal being constructed in the area. Kochi's City Deputy Commissioner of Police Yatish Chandra reportedly used force to remove protesters as the Prime Minister’s motorcade had to pass through the area and a trial run had to be conducted for the same.

"They (the protesters), all of a sudden, tried to create trouble on the route the Prime Minister's motorcade was to take (on 17 June)," the DGP said, adding it happened when the Special Protection Group and other security agencies were conducting a trial run through the route. He alleged that extremist forces were behind the anti-liquefied natural gas terminal protest.