Won’t attend roll call without chief: Bomb squad

Though the technicians gathered at the premise of the old police commissioner’s office in Egmore for the roll call, it turned out to be a non-starter as the BDDS team refused to be a part of the exercise because the unit head was not present at the venue.

“Deputy Commissioner (Security), who is head of our unit, was not present for the roll call. It looks like he had sent somebody else to do the roll call. How can we be part of such an eye wash? In the past, whenever such a roll call was carried out it was done by an officer in the rank of Deputy Commissioner. We were looking for DC to listen to our grievances so that he could issue appropriate directions,” one of the BDDS members told this newspaper.

When contacted, ET Samson, DC (Security), said that it may not be possible for him to be present at the office all the time and his work is more mobile in nature. “But certainly, we will look into the issue,” he added.

It may be noted that ex-service men who constitute the TN BDDS which takes care of the security of VVIPs in the state, had recently written to the Union Defence Minister and the TN Governor alleging harassments, including demand for alcohol from Defence canteen by state police officials.