Admitting lapses in Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's security, the Odisha Police today suspended an ACP and an ASI rank officer and arrested six persons allegedly involved in breaching the VVIP carcade and throwing eggs at it.
"An Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) rank officer have been placed under suspension for negligence in duty. Though both of them were present at the spot where the CM's carcade was breached, they failed to take required steps to prevent it," said Director General of Police (DGP) Sanjeev Marik.
While ACP Sk Saifuddin was suspended as per the recommendation of the DGP, ASI P K Sahu had been placed under suspension on the report of the Commissioner of Police R K Sharma. Saifuddin was recently promoted to the post of ACP and working as head of the city's Kharvel Nagar police station.
Conceding that "partial lapse" of intelligence had led to a situation where Congress activists showed black flags and hurled eggs at the Chief Minister's motorcade, Sharma said the police was in search of those involved in the vandalism.
"Six persons have so far been arrested," he said.
DGP Sanjeev Marik also admitted that though there was intelligence input regarding a possible incident, no adequate step was taken to prevent it.
"Changes will be made in the security arrangements of the Chief Minister. Efficient officers will be given charge of the CM's security," he said.
Youth Congress activists showed black flags and hurled eggs at Patnaik's car yesterday, when he was on his way to Utkal University to attend the annual function of its students' union.
The Chief Minister was, however, escorted by the police safely from the spot without any damage to his vehicle.
Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of the Congress said, "Though Patnaik himself is in charge of the home department, the police have failed to provide smooth security to the Chief Minister.
