Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad   

DGP admits failure of mine detector

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD OCT. 14. The Andhra Pradesh police are trying to figure out why the bomb detection equipment used for `sanitising' the Tirumala ghat road failed to detect the claymore mines, even when the police used it before they unearthed eight mines after the abortive attack on the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu.

"For some reason the Deep Search Metal Detector (DSMD) did not indicate the presence of mines. We are examining whether the DSMD had fallen short of full efficiency," the DGP, S.R. Sukumara, told reporters here on Tuesday. He admitted that there seemed to be some problem in detecting the deeply embedded mines with the available equipment.

The handheld DSMD, which was used for `sanitising' the route failed to emit any signal when police officers ran a check on the unexploded claymore mines, before they were unearthed. This gave rise to suspicions on whether the expensive pieces of equipment were of any use. Mr. Sukumara, however, pointed out that there were more than one DSMDs used by the Chittoor police to sweep the ghat section before Mr. Naidu took the route on October 1.

Mr. Sukumara declined to answer questions on the progress of the investigation into the assassination attempt, saying the Special Investigation Team was following certain leads. "I can disclose the details only when there is a clear-cut breakthrough. I do not like to spell out details of investigation," was how the DGP responded to persistent questions. He discounted reports that the police had already identified the assailants. "Broadly we know who could have been responsible", but he could not name anyone since investigation was continuing.

To another question on review of security being provided to VVIPs in the State, he pointed out that the Government would now procure more bullet proof vehicles and effective mine detection equipment. "We will upgrade the security for VIPs.'' He indicated that the present level of security would continue for the Chief Minister and pointed out that the Government would have to take a decision on bringing Mr. Naidu under NSG cover.

Mr. Sukumara interacted with the media to announce various programmes to be taken up in view of the observance of Police Commemoration Day on October 21.

He was reluctant to take any questions other than on Commemoration Day pleading that he would not want to shift focus of his press conference. However, he had to relent as newsmen began firing questions.

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