Row over bid to prevent CM chopper’s landing

DEHRADUN:A major controversy has erupted over the complaint lodged with the police by Chief Security Officer (Chief Minister’s security) alleging that army men had blocked the landing site at the GTC helipad (Dehradun Cantonment) by putting up drums which prevented the official helicopter carrying the Chief Minister, who was returning from a visit to Uttarkashi last evening.

The landing site at the GTC helipad (Dehradun Cantonment) blocked by putting up drums forced the official helicopter ferrying the CM to land at a nearby spot. A Tribune Photograph

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 19

A major controversy has erupted over the complaint lodged with the police by Chief Security Officer (Chief Minister’s security) alleging that army men had blocked the landing site at the GTC helipad (Dehradun Cantonment) by putting up drums which prevented the official helicopter carrying the Chief Minister, who was returning from a visit to Uttarkashi last evening.

The pilot of the helicopter, who was bringing back Chief Minister TS Rawat from Uttarkashi last evening, spotted the obstacles late but somehow managed to land the helicopter nearby, the report has said.

CM’s Chief Security officer Sanjay Bishnoi has lodged an FIR at the Cant Police Station. In the report, he also said that the Chief Minister’s security officers were privy to high handedness by Army men earlier when they had allegedly parked their car in the way of the fleet before the Chief Minister’s departure to Uttarkashi on the same day.

The copy of the complaint has also been given to the District Magistrate and the ADG (Security).

On their part, the Indian Army has denied the charges and said that no efforts were made to stop the fleet and steps were taken for security reasons as the site was found unsafe for landing.

Army denies charge

On their part, the Indian Army has denied the charges and said that no efforts were made to stop the fleet and steps were taken for security reasons as the site was found unsafe for landing.