Six Bengaluru cops suspended after explosives found near PM Modi's convoy route
The suspended policemen include a police sub-inspector (PSI), an assistant sub-inspector (ASI), and four constables.
Bengaluru: The state government has taken major action in connection with the security lapses in Bengaluru for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Earlier this month, the police department came under scrutiny after explosives were recovered near PM Modi's designated route. A sub-inspector and five other police officers have been suspended for security lapse during PM Modi's visit to the Art of Living (AOL) Foundation in Bengaluru on May 10.
Who are suspended?
The suspended policemen include a police sub-inspector (PSI), an assistant sub-inspector (ASI), and four constables. This action was taken following an order issued by Bengaluru South Superintendent of Police (SP) R Sinivas Gowda. The development comes two weeks after explosives were found near Kuppareddy Kere, around 2km from the AOL centre, along the PM's route.
What is the reason?
In his order, the SP clarified that the officers deployed for security arrangements during the Prime Minister's visit on May 10 displayed serious negligence in their work. The department considered such laxity in a sensitive matter such as the security of the country's most VVIP leader to be inexcusable.
What was recovered?
A carton discovered near the boundary of a private property contained explosive materials and several related items such as gelatin rods, camphor, batteries, electrical cables, a digital timer, an LCD screen and matchsticks. It was located about 25 feet from the roadside.
In fact, these explosives were recovered near Vaderahalli Gate in Bengaluru South Taluk. Shockingly, this area was near the very spot where the six suspended policemen were assigned security duty. Failure to monitor suspicious activities or materials within their designated area proved costly for these officers.
As soon as news of the discovery of explosives near the route surfaced on May 10, the police department was shaken. Given the sensitivity of the matter, an internal departmental inquiry was immediately initiated. The investigation report found these policemen on duty prima facie guilty and negligent, following which the department took strict disciplinary action against them for indiscipline. Further investigation into the matter is currently underway.
