Centre denies Punjab CM Mann clearance for Japan visit, cites security concerns

Neeraj Bali Chandigarh, Oct 1 (UNI) 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…