Probe into security 'lapse' during Manmohan Singh's visit

Kerala police have begun a probe into a security lapse during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Thrissur on December 25 when a private car from a by-lane almost entered the main road through which his convoy was moving.

"Policemen were posted there and it should not have happened. A report has been sought on how the lapse occurred," director general of police, Jacob Punnoose told Press Trust of India in Thiruvananthapuram.

He, however, said the car, driven by a local man, had not reached anywhere near the prime minister's car.

The pilot vehicles of the convoy noticed the car and turned it away. The convoy had to be halted for a minute, he said.

The convoy was proceeding from Kuttanellur helipad to Thrissur Town Hall where the prime minister later paid homage to veteran Congress leader K Karunakaran, who passed away on December 23, when the incident occurred.

On inquiry, it was found the man driving the car was going to a nearby shop.

The six-km road between Kuttanellur and Town Hall had been blocked by the police for the safe passage of the convoy.

However, when it reached Nadathara Junction, the private car ran into the main road causing anxiety to the Special Protection Group and the police.