Neeraj BaliChandigarh, Oct. 1 -- The Centre has denied political clearance to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for a proposed visit to Japan to watch the Indian men's hockey team in the Asian Games, with security concerns cited for the decision, officials familiar with the matter said.
Mann had planned to travel to Japan for the closing stages of the hockey competition at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after receiving an invitation from the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).
A state government functionary said the Punjab government had been informed that security considerations were behind the denial.
"The government has been told that he is being denied permission because of security concerns. Managing a VIP at the Asian Games is an issue....