Uttarakhand CM lodges complaint against army GOC for ‘jeopardising his security’

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has lodged a complaint with the police against a senior army official for allegedly jeopardising his security at GTC helipad on February 18. The complaint charged General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Garhi Cantonment sub-area of endangering the security of the Chief Minister. A complaint on the GOC will also be made to the Ministry of Defence in this regard, the state government press release said.

Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat was to reach Sanwadi village of Uttarkashi district, which was burnt to ashes due to a fire incident, and distribute relief funds on Sunday. The Chief Minister was to take off from GTC Helipad in Garhi Cantonment area of Dehradun.

According to the Chief Security Officer of the Chief Minister, as the Chief Minister’s fleet reached GTC Helipad around 12:15 pm, GOC Sub Area Dehradun in his personal vehicle HR-26-BF-8010 stopped his vehicle in front of fleet. According to the report, the CO City and SHO Cantonment police station explained to the GOC about the arrival of the CM’s fleet, but the GOC Sub Area allegedly started an argument. The report charged that the GOC threatened the CO City and SHO Cantonment that area belonged to the army and Chief Minister should be told that “You people can come here with our permission only. All the police personnel will be outside with their vehicles in future”. However, the Chief Minister’s vehicle was allowed to enter the helipad, from where he went to Uttarkashi.

However, on his return journey the same day, when the Chief Minister’s helicopter was landing at GTC helipad at 3 pm, some soldiers allegedly kept two drums on the helipad and interrupted the landing of the helicopter. The drums were not seen by the pilot from the height, but as the helicopter got closer to ground, the pilot spotted the drums. The pilot immediately landed the helicopter at another place nearby, otherwise an accident could have happened there, the report said.

The state government said that the CM’s program is informed a day before to army authorities of the sub area, with date and time whenever CM is scheduled to take off from the GTC helipad.

The Chief Security Officer of the Chief Minister has written a complaint at Police Station, Cantt Road in this regard. A copy of the report also has been sent to ADG (Prosecution and Security) for necessary action. A report on behalf of Additional City Magistrate and CO City has also been sent to Dehradun District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP).

Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat took a serious note of this act of GOC Sub Area and expressed resentment in this regard.

However, there was no word on the issue from the army authorities or from the office of the General Officer Commanding (GOC), sub-area, Garhi Cantonment, Dehradun.