Probe into security lapse during Prez visit

Kochi, Dec 22: While denying that any ''security lapse'' took place during President A P J Abdul Kalam's visit here on December 19, police today said they are ''examining'' how the gunman of the Cochin International Airport Ltd. managing director entered without a pass into an area meant only for VIPs at the helipad here.

Senior police sources told sources today that the police are ''looking into'' the incident to ascertain why the gunman was not stopped at the entry gate itself and managed to come till the VIP reception area, where he was blocked and turned back.

''This happened almost two hours before the president arrived at Kochi. We cannot call it a security lapse. But, City Police Commissioner P Vijayan is looking into the incident to see why the gunman was not screened and stopped at the entrance gate itself,'' the sources said.

''We are looking into this matter for future guidance,'' they added.

Only special invitees with valid passes were to be allowed entry into the VIP reception area at the makeshift helipad constructed at the Marine Drive here for Dr Kalam's arrival here on December 19 afternoon.

But, CIAL MD Sreeram Bharat's gunman, who is a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) employee, managed to come till the VIP reception area without a pass.

UNI