Security lapse in Balotra: Man enters VVIP stage before PM event
Raising serious questions about security preparedness for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s event in Rajasthan’s Balotra district, which was later postponed, a man allegedly managed to access the VVIP stage at the venue on the eve of the programme.
The person has been identified as Arshad. He was booked under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and later released, officials said on Thursday.
A station house officer (SHO) has been suspended in connection with the incident. PM Modi was scheduled to visit the place on April 21 to inaugurate HPCL Pachpadra refinery, but the visit was postponed following a fire incident at the refinery.
Arshad allegedly entered the restricted ‘D’ area, accessed the stage and recorded a video, which later surfaced on social media.
Terming it a grave lapse, officials said preventing unauthorised access to the VVIP stage is the responsibility of personnel on duty, and any negligence would invite strict action.
Consequently, Pachpadra police station SHO, Achala Ram, has been suspended, Jodhpur Range Inspector General of Police Satyendra Singh told reporters.
“After the fire incident at the refinery, a man identified as Arshad climbed onto the stage at the event site and recorded a video, which he later made viral. This is a serious security lapse,” Singh said.
He added that the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) Commandant has been directed to identify the personnel responsible and initiate strict disciplinary action against them.
Preliminary investigation indicates negligence on the part of RAC personnel deployed at the venue, who failed to prevent the youth from reaching the stage, the officials said.
The prime minister was scheduled to visit Balotra on April 21 for the inauguration of the HPCL refinery project, but the visit was later cancelled following a fire incident at one of the refinery units on April 20.
