 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Police have begun investigations into the circumstances under which the gunman of Cochin International Airport Limited's managing director entered the VIP reception area at Marine Drive on December 19 during the visit of President A P J Abdul Kalam.
Kalam had arrived at the helipad at Marine Drive from Pollachi and was accorded a brief reception.
Top police officials said there was no security lapse since the incident occurred two hours before the VVIP's arrival.
But the circumstances under which the gunman, an officer of the Central Industrial Security Force, happened to be in the area, were being looked into, they said.
Kochi city police commissioner P Vijayan is probing the incident.
About 150 people had been allowed at the reception area near the helipad, of whom only 10 were included in the official reception team, sources said.
The helipad was about 150 metres away from the reception area, where only special invitees were allowed.
Sources said gunmen of VIP guests are normally not allowed into the area. When the CIAL MD's gunman, who did not have a pass, was noticed in the area, he was immediately sent back.