The man, who drove the pilot car on a wrong route, has said that he was asked by policemen to take that turn.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The man, who drove the pilot car on a wrong route, causing a major security breach for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's convoy here on Tuesday night, has said that he was asked by policemen to take that turn.
Speaking to reporters at a hospital here Wednesday, Shiju, the driver, said that the car ahead of him was at a fair distance and since he could not see it, "the policemen inside my car asked me to drive the way I went.”
"There were three policemen inside my car. Soon after I reached Raj Bhavan I was taken to two police stations. Today morning I was let off after recording a statement. The policemen behaved decently with me. Since I have a weak heart I am now undergoing treatment in the hospital," he said.
Manmohan Singh had arrived here on Tuesday night at 9.35 pm and the security lapse took place while he was being driven to Raj Bhavan, where he stayed overnight.
Police officials accompanying the Prime Minister jumped out of their cars when the vehicles, including that of Manmohan Singh, came to an abrupt halt, seeing the pilot vehicle take a totally different route.
The Prime Minister's journey resumed five minutes later.
Police detained the driver of the car for interrogation as soon as the convoy reached Raj Bhavan. The circle inspector, who was also in car, has been suspended.
According to reports, the driver had committed similar errors on earlier trial runs.
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has asked for an explanation from the Kerala government on the security breach.
The National Security Guards (NSG) Director has also reportedly asked for an explanation from Kerala's Director General of Police Raman Srivastava.
Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan has demanded a report within 48 hours on the goof-up. Additional Director General of Police Jacob Punnoose has been asked by Srivastava to submit the inquiry report.
Achuthanandan held a meeting with Srivatasava, Punnoose and Additional Director General of Police Rajan Madekar at his home on Wednesday afternoon.
Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who had left for New Delhi via Chennai on Tuesday night, cut short his visit and returned to the state capital to investigate the matter.
"Action would be taken against those who erred and we are taking the matter very seriously," the minister told reporters.
He visited Manmohan Singh and expressed his apologies for the security lapse.
Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy said that what happened was a great shame to Kerala.
"The full responsibility of this lies with Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. It is strange that he had preferred to go to Delhi when the Prime Minister was in town.”
"Moreover, the investigation is being led by the very same officer who was in charge of the security," said Chandy.
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