In what can be termed as major security breach, Army Jawans reportedly placed drums on the landing spot where the helicopter of Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Trivendra Singh Rawat was slated to land at GTC Helipad on Sunday. An alert pilot of CM’s chopper, however, spotted these deliberately placed obstacles, hovered around the helipad for some time before landing safely on another spot. Earlier in the day, when the motorcade of CM was entering the helipad, a car allegedly occupied by a high ranking army officer blocked its way for some time. Taking a serious view of these incidents, the Chief Security Officer of CM, Sanjay Vishnoi has sent a letter to the Additional Director General (ADG) intelligence/ security and informed about the grave security breach.
The fleet of CM Rawat arrived at the GTC Helipad at 12.15 PM on Sunday to take the CM to Jakhol in Uttarkashi. The CM had planned to visit fire ravaged Sawni village of Uttarkashi and inspect relief and rehabilitation measures there. As per the information registered in General Duty Details (GDD) of Cantt Police Station, the fleet of the CM entered GTC Helipad area on Sunday afternoon but when it was about to pass through the Golf Ground entry, a Honda city car (HR 26 BF- 8010) blocked its way. The report further states that when the officer of the Pilot car requested the occupant of the car to move his vehicle a little further so that the fleet could pass, he refused to budge and said that "you people are not good and this helipad is ours (Army’s)". When the police officer told the CM car is in the fleet, the occupant of the car reluctantly cleared the way.
In his report CM’s security officer mentioned that the CM’s helicopter was to land at 3.30 PM however at the landing ‘H’ the Army personnel placed two drums and tried to obstruct the landing of CM’s helicopter. On viewing these obstacles, the CM’s pilot took one round of the area and safely landed at another place.
When contacted, the ADG Intelligence and Security, V Vinay Kumar told The Pioneer that the letter from the CM office has been received.
He said that the State Director General (DG) of police and administration have been informed about the incident. It is learnt that the State administration is taking up the issue with the army authorities at the highest level.