To check coordination among the security forces of various agencies in view of scheduled Passing out Parade (POP) in the Indian Military Academy (IMA) on June 13, a mock drill was held in the city on Monday. The police responded to report of a suspicious object being placed near the Parade Ground. However, it ended up throwing major traffic congestion around the suspected bomb and other city roads.
Dehradun Superintendent of Police (SP) City Ajay Singh said mock drill was conducted successfully as police of various departments, including bomb disposal squad, local police personnel and other policemen of specialised units, had responded well to the report of a suspicious object placed at Parade Ground. The objective was to check the security preparedness and coordination among various wings of police departments in view of proposed IMA POP in Dehradun, he added.
Police were informed through wireless set to act on an unclaimed bag found lying near electricity transformer near Kanak Cinema Hall. Heavy police forces, including bomb disposal squad personnel, reached the spot and traffic routes were diverted immediately. SP City along with other police officers, including Dalanwala Police Station in-charge inspector Ajay Kumar Joshi, rushed to the spot. Bomb disposal squad personnel were asked to diffuse the materials kept in bag. They acted and found bricks and stones in the bag.
Mock drill was successful from the standpoint of its objective. But it spawned in its wake traffic congestion, inconveniencing the road users. Traffic congestion was witnessed on various roads, including Doon Hospital Road, Prince Chowk, Saharanpur Chowk since 9 am. However, the mock drill which began around 1.45 pm and continued till 3.15 pm, added to the traffic woe.