Barely an hour before the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's election meeting at Dhanbad a drunk Deputy Superintendent of Police deputed at the venue fired in the air from his service revolver after an argument with another DSP.

Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner of Police Beela Rajesh told PTI that P L Khalko was drunk and fired one round from his service revolver following a quarrel with Renu Bala, the DSP of Sindri.

The incident occurred outside the gate of the venue.

Rajesh said Khalko was immediately overpowered and detained and sent for medical test. There was no injury to anybody due to the firing, the DCP said.

DSP Renu Bala, who was deputed to the meeting along with the errant DSP, said Khalko started behaving in a deranged manner and threw away the metal detector after snatching it from an official and also tried to take off his shoes.

Before he could be overpowered Khalko opened fire, but was immediately pinned down. Senior police officials said Khalko has not yet divulged the reason why he opened fire.