Uttarakhand CM fumes as army obstructs landing of his helicopter
Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has objected to the way the army establishment “created obstructions” when the helicopter flying him landed at the cantonment area helipad here on Sunday evening, saying he would take up the issue with the defence ministry.
Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has objected to the way the army establishment “created obstructions” when the helicopter flying him landed at the cantonment area helipad here on Sunday evening, saying he would take up the issue with the defence ministry.
Rawat has also taken a strong exception to the behaviour of General Officer Commanding (GOC) Uttarakhand sub area, who “misbehaved” with the chief minister’s staff.
“The chief minister has taken a strong exception to the manner in which the army establishment created obstructions when the helicopter carrying him landed at the army helipad putting his life at risk,” his media coordinator Darshan Singh Rawat said. He said the CM would soon lodge a formal complaint with the defence ministry.
Darshan Singh said the complaint would specifically refer to the way GOC sub area “misbehaved” with the chief minister’s security staff and parked his private car in front of the CM fleet.
“The GOC also threatened the circle officer, city and station officer, cantonment area stating that the cantonment area belonged to the army and outsiders could enter the area only with the army’s permission,” an official note said. The army authorities in the cantonment area couldn’t be reached for their comments.
According to the note, the GOC misbehaved with the CM’s security staff before the latter’s cavalcade reached the army helipad at 12:15pm on Sunday. Later, a helicopter flew the chief minister to Uttarkashi where he attended a programme.
When the helicopter carrying the CM flew back at 3:30pm, drums were put up at the helipad where it was to land. “The pilot noticing the drums at the landing area had to land the helicopter at some distance away,” the note read. “Had the pilot not taken a timely decision, a major mishap could have occurred.”
Shankar Singh Bisht, station officer (Cantt police station), said a first information report is yet to be lodged by the chief minister’s office.