Bullet proof vehicle carrying Union Minister JP Nadda halted for safety reasons; No major incident, says TN Police
The Minister was transferred to an alternative vehicle as per protocol and transported to the airport, police said
BJP president J P Nadda (PTI)
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Police has clarified that its bullet-proof vehicle in which Union Minister for Health and BJP National President JP Nadda travelled in, while he was in TN on May 2 and 3 was in a good condition. And, that it was halted for safety reasons as the minister’s assistant had forced the convoy to drive at high speed, which the bullet proof vehicle is not equipped for.
The Minister was transferred to an alternative vehicle as per protocol and transported to the airport, police said.
“The Union Minister was immediately taken to an alternative vehicle, as per protocol, and taken to the Chennai airport with due security. There was no damage to the vehicle, nor was there any safety concern for the occupants,” the police said.
When the bulletproof vehicle stopped suddenly, the police vehicle in the 10th position, rammed into the vehicle in the eighth position, which was carrying his belongings, causing minor damage. Nadda, who is provided with ‘Z+’ security, had visited the State on May 2 to attend events at a private university outside the city and also visited a temple in Vellore.
According to TN police, vehicles deployed by the Security Branch CID were manufactured in the workshops recommended by the Union government and are in good condition. The bullet-proof vehicles are typically restricted from operating at the same speed as regular vehicles, due to its heavy weight and technical reasons.
Around 7.30 pm, while approaching Thirumudivakkam at Vandalur-Minjur Outer Ring Road within Tambaram city limits, Nadda’s personal assistant forced the CRPF personnel to drive the convoy at a high speed. Hence, the vehicle was driven at a speed of more than 120 km/hr. The driver, noticing the noise generated by the friction at the rear wheel, slowed down and parked it on the side of the road. The Union Minister was transported in an alternate vehicle as per protocol.
TN police said that their bullet-proof vehicles are well maintained and are sent to Puducherry, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala upon their request during VVIP visits.
