Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have impressed a few by rushing to Kollam hours after a tragic mishap at Puttingal Devi temple complex that left over a 100 dead and many others wounded.
However, the police, busy with rescue and relief operations at the site, were unhappy with the visit of the PM and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi as this meant that they had to ensure the “safety and security” of these VVIPs although Modi had said no protocol should be followed when he visits.
According to media reports, Kerala Director General of Police T.P. Senkumar had objected to the visit of the prime minister hours after the incident. “I did object to the idea of the Prime Minister visiting the region within 12 hours of the accident. I told them it would be better for the PM to visit the spot a day after the disaster. But the PM wanted to visit that day itself," he was quoted as saying.
He said the entire police force was working tirelessly from the morning after the tragic incident and were tired as there was not even some provision to provide water to the cops. He claimed he had suggested that the PM visit the next day (Monday) and added that as this request was not considered and Modi and Rahul Gandhi decided to visit the same day, the police had no option but to ensure their security.