New Delhi: Facing flak on the issue of photo-identity cards in the capital, Lt Governor Tejendra Khanna on Monday did a U-turn on the matter, saying carrying of ID proof by the denizens would not be mandatory.
"I had never said that ID proof would be made mandatory. The message has been misunderstood. I never said without ID cards, people will be treated as culprits. Ours is an open society and no citizen can be put to unwanted discomfort," he told reporters.
The Lt Governor had on January four announced that he had given an order to Delhi Police for random checking of denizens for possession of photo-ID cards starting from January 15 in view of enhanced terror threats.
He had also said if any individual was unable to produce the proof, adequate action would be taken against the concerned person.
"I had just instructed the Police Commissioner to increase surveillance in different parts of the NCT (National Capital Territory) to screen persons arousing suspicion," Khanna clarified on Monday.
He said he had never intended or suggested that non-possession of photo-identity cards would be treated as any kind of violation or any illicit action.
