The ID card of an official who was part of PM cavalcade Got snatched and cops couldn't recover it before celebrations. There's still no trace of it
The ID card of an official who was part of PM cavalcade got snatched and cops couldn't recover it before celebrations. There's still no trace of it
Delhi was turned into a fortress this August 15, like every year on I-Day, especially around Red Fort from where the Prime Minister addressed the nation. Commandos of the elite National Security Guards (NSG), snipers, bomb disposal squad, sniffer dog squads, anti-aircraft guns kept the area sanitised.
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On target: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh waving at the Red Fort on August 15
pic/Rajeev Tyagi |
That was something we all knew. And saw on television screens. What we didn't know and was never reported was that there was a potential lapse in the security, and even after more than 15 days, it is yet to be plugged.
A special identity card, issued to officials deployed in the PM's security, got lost just two days ahead of Dr Manmohan Singh assuring the nation that all is well with India. An assistant ambulance officer deployed in the Prime Minister's security setup was looted at knife-point at Nand Nagri in east Delhi. An ambulance is mandatory in the Prime Minister's cavalcade. His Prime Minister's security ID card was among various cards and cash that the armed assailants took away. Sompal (real name withheld on request) was going to attend the I-Day dress rehearsal on August 13 when two men of heavy built intercepted him around 4 am.
"One of them twisted my hand and held my throat while the other took out a knife," Sompal told MiD DAY. "The guy almost choked me. I fell unconscious and they took away my Prime Minister's security card, two ATM cards, PAN card and driving licence," he added.
The spot from where Sompal was attacked is just a few metres away from Meet Nagar police post. When Sompal recovered a few minutes later, he approached the cops on duty at the police post. "I had to leave for the rehearsal and was getting late. I informed them and left," Sompal said.
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Defence Minister AK Antony waiting for the Prime Minister to come out of his car surrounded by his special security staff at Red Fort on Independence Day
Pic/Rajeev Tyagi |
Later, the ambulance officer who is otherwise attached to the emergency medical response No 102, filed a report with the police and informed his seniors.
The 48-year-old was grilled by the police about the incident the next day. "They asked me all sorts of questions, including my salary details and place of birth, about my family and children," he said.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (North East district) SS Yadav said: "We are doing our best and hope to crack the case soon. As soon as we got the report we upped the security and ensured that nothing untoward should happen especially till the Independence Day celebrations got over."
A senior Home Ministry official, requesting anonymity, described the incident as a "major goof up". "Apart from the damage it could have caused to the security around Prime Minister, the card can be misused to gain access to high-security areas. This should have been tackled seriously," he said.
Sompal also alleged that the case registered by the police (a copy of the FIR is with MiD DAY) is that of snatching and proves the lackadaisical attitude of the police.
The Other Side'We are doing our best and hope to crack the case soon. As soon as we got the report we upped the security and ensured that nothing untoward should happen especially till the Independence Day celebrations got over.'
SS Yadav, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North East district)
