Kerala DGP TP Senkumar made headlines on Friday as he spoke about his objection regarding the visits of PM Modi and other VVIPs at the site of the Kollam temple tragedy last Sunday.
The top cop suggested that the visit of the VVIPs during the rescue operations, not only compromised their security but also disrupted the relief efforts.
DGP Senkumar told The Indian Express on Thursday that the entire police department was busy in rescue and relief work and the visits by Modi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi meant that they had to ensure their “safety and security” as well.
“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. Our entire force had been working from early morning, engaged in rescue and relief work. So much work was still left and all of them were tired because there was no provision of even drinking water. We had to make arrangements for the safety and security of Prime Minister Modi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi too, “IE quoted Senkumar as saying.
These statements are in contradiction to the CM’s comments.
"PM's visit to the spot was a great relief for the people. National leaders visited and their presence and advice and help was a great thing for Kerala. All rescue operations were over in the morning. We all concentrated on treatment of the injured after 6 am," the CM had said.
The fire at Paravur’s Puttingal temple at Kollam in Kerala in the wee hours of last Sunday claimed at least 108 lives with the state government demanding it to be termed as a national disaster.
Senkumar further said, “I was also there at the spot. It was a day when we were all totally held up in the massive rescue and relief work. So I explained the situation and suggested that he visit on Monday. Anyway, once the Prime Minister decides to visit, we have no choice other than make arrangements for his security.”
Senkumar, a 1983 batch officer, was made DGP of Kerala on May 31 last year. Before this, he was serving as DGP (Prisons).