Defence Minister's motorcade takes ''wrong route''

Alappuzha, Mar 2 (UNI) Kerala police have ordered an inquiry into the ''wrong route'' taken by Defence Minister A K Antony's motorcade while he was going for a function at Ambalapuzha in this district today.

Inspector General of Police Vison M Paul told UNI that he had asked the Alappuzha Superintendent of Police (SP) to inquire into the incident and submit a report within two days.

The incident occurred around noon when the Defence Minister's cavalcade, coming from capital Thiruvananthapuram, instead of staying on NH-47, deviated towards a pocket road and drove for about two km before the mistake was detected and the convoy returned on the right route.

''It cannot be termed a security lapse. Perhaps, it was a lack of coordination,'' the IG said.

Alappuzha SP S Nagarajullu said memos have been issued to three police personnel, including the Ambalapuzha Circle Inspector and two Sub-Inspectors in connection with the incident.

In October 2006, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's motorcade, led by a private taxi being used as a pilot car, had gone off route for some time after his arrival in capital Thiruvananthapuram.

Meanwhile, Mr Antony had another unscheduled detour this evening when he made a brief halt at Union Minister Vayalar Ravi's house near Cherthala.

Mr Antony, who was proceeding towards Vayalar junction to attend a function in connection with the 25th death anniversary of Mr Vayalar Ravi's mother Devaki Krishnan, took a small detour to Mr Ravi's house and spent a few minutes there.

UNI XR ARC DS BDP KN2104