Thiruvananthapuram, Wednesday 30 June 2010: The Central government on Wednesday ordered an National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the alleged terror links of IG Tomin J. Thachenkery.

Home Secretary G.K. Pillai said ‘an enquiry must be conducted by the NIA’, on the allegations that IG Thachankary had met men with suspected terror links during his foreign trip, couple of months ago.

The Union Home secretary said the decision for NIA probe was taken following a demand by the state government and a report by the Indian embassy in Qatar.

Earlier report

Tomin J Thachankary was suspended from IG’s post on the wake of foreign trip controversy, had on Tuesday given explanation to the Central Home Ministry regarding the same. He had a meeting with Home Secretary G.K Pillai at Delhi.

G.K Pillai had later informed that Home Ministry’s decision on the foreign trip controversy would soon be made.

Tomin J Thachankary was caught up in controversy over his alleged Gulf trip without government’s consent. The CM himself, during his program in Kannur, had noticed his absence.

Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan later asked Vigilance ADGP Sibi Mathews to probe into Thachankary’’s foreign trip, following charges that he had not taken prior sanction from the government as per the service rules. However, Thachankary denied flouting guidelines.

DGP who later investigated the controversy himself, came up in support of the ADGP’s report which asserted Thachankary flouted guidelines. Even though decision against the IG was not taken in the Cabinet held today, he got removed from the post later.