Odisha CM’s security breach an intel failure, admits CP

Reported by Santosh Jagdev

Bhubaneswar, Feb 19:

Twin City Commissioner of Police (CP) Dr RP Sharma has conceded that the breach in the security of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday evening was ‘partially an intelligence failure.”

“I would say it was partially an intelligence failure since the policemen on duty could not get wind of such a large gathering,” he said.

“There is certainly scope for improvement in VVIPs’ carcade drill after trouble is spotted,” the Commissioner said.

Dr Sharma said the hunt for the miscreants was on. “We have already identified some of them. We are verifying the video footage and will lauch a drive to arrest the miscreants. Strong legal action will be taken against them,” he said.

“A detailed enquiry will be done by me to find out the officers responsible for the lapse and accordingly departmental action will be taken against them,” he said.

When asked about any changes the commissionerate would put in place on security guidelines of the CM’s carcade, Dr Sharma said the home department laid out the drill for VVIP security, which works on certain cardinal principles. “The personnel on VVIP carcade and on the route must be familiar with these principles and accordingly training is being imparted to them,” he said.

As per the findings and review of security lapses, corrective measures will be taken in the whole security system, he said.

Meanwhile, the Commissionerate police headquarter has recommended to the state government the suspension of the inspector in charge (IIC) of Kharvela Nagar Inspector SK Sarifuddin, who was promoted to ACP rank recently.