2 cops suspended over security breach during PM’s Noida visit

NOIDAA/LUCKNOW: Two policemen were suspended by senior superintendent of police (SSP), Gautam Budh Nagar, Love Kumar on Wednesday for an alleged security breach in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convoy during his visit to Noida on December 25 to inaugurate the Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line.

The security breach resulted in PM Modi and chief minister Yogi Adityanath getting stuck in a traffic jam near Mahamaya Flyover in Noida for “two to two and a half minutes.”

Departmental action was ordered against deputy superintendents of police (DySP) Sanjeev Deshwal and Ram Karan Singh after chief minister Yogi Adityanath sought a report from director general of police Sulkhan Singh on the issue.

Sub-inspector Dilip Singh and constable Dayanand of Dankaur police station were suspended on Wednesday, after an inquiry was initiated against them by the SSP.

After returning from Noida, the chief minister sought a report from top home and police department officials about the security breach.

Inspector general of police (public grievances) Vijay Singh Meena said the state police had ordered a probe.

Action may be taken against more officers and policemen deployed for security and traffic management on the day of the PM visit. The SSP said, “The driver and the in charge of the driver who were in an anti-demo vehicle leading the PM’s fleet, took a cut 500 metres prior to the designated cut and reached the expressway route from a service lane. Though the route was the same, the wrong cut resulted in the PM’s fleet getting stuck in traffic for two to two and a half minutes. Since the fleet was of a VVIP, we initiated an inquiry and suspended the two policemen.”

The breach occurred after 2pm when PM Modi left Amity University public ground at Sector 125 for the helipad near Botanical Garden Metro station at Sector 38.

The SSP said the security personnel had rehearsed before leading the PM’s fleet. “Security personnel were present at all cuts and road stretches in that area which might have confused the duo in the anti-demo vehicle. We had even rehearsed before on the same stretch,” said Kumar.

Ahead of PM’s visit, more than 5,500 security personnel were deployed. The Expressway stretch and service lane near Amity University and Mahamaya Flyover was barred for other vehicles for the entire day on Monday. PM Modi inaugurated the Magenta Metro line on Monday which will connect Noida to parts of south Delhi.

THE BREACH OCCURRED AFTER 2PM WHEN PM MODI LEFT AMITY UNIVERSITY PUBLIC GROUND AT SECTOR 125 FOR THE HELIPAD NEAR BOTANICAL GARDEN METRO STATION AT SECTOR 38.