The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Modi in the `firing line!'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 09, 2006

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Modi in the `firing line!'

Staff Reporter

A daily `feeds' on false `alarm' Businessman's entry into a 5-star hotel carrying a firearm keeps police on tenterhooks as Modi is staying in the hotel for Pravasi Divas

AFTER THE LASH, COMES THE HANDSHAKE: Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy greeting Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Sunday. - Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

HYDERABAD: A businessman's innocuous entry into a five-star hotel carrying a firearm gave tense moments to the police here after Saturday midnight as many VVIPs, including Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, were staying there to attend Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

The police heaved a sigh of relief after finding that the visitor was a firearm licence holder and came to the hotel only to have dinner. The versions of a local newspaper and a regional news channel about the incident, however, on Sunday created confusion among people and the police.

A nut powder dealer, the man in question went to the hotel after Saturday midnight. Security men were deployed in large numbers there with doorframe metal detectors (DFMDs) and other equipment since many VVIPs had checked in.

The police got alerted when the metal detector raised an alarm as the businessman passed through. Asked to explain, he took out his .32 revolver from the pocket and also the licence issued by the police. Not willing to take any chance, the security men told their higher-ups and a senior police officer, too, arrived at the spot. After examining the documents, the police officer asked him to leave the weapon in safe custody of the Punjagutta police for further clarification. Accordingly, he handed over the weapon and left.

The regional daily picked up the information and carried a report on Sunday. Feeding from the report and assuming it to be a `developing story,' a local TV news channel began flashing similar report.

As the `news' spread, senior police officers were inundated with calls seeking more information not only from other media houses but also from top security wings of the Centre and State Governments. "We spent the entire day convincing everyone that there was no case at all," said an annoyed city police officer.

Trader's kin upset

Meanwhile, the businessman, his family and relatives were also disturbed over the reports. A resident of Reinbazar, he shifted to Gun Foundry few months ago. The police quoted him stating that he was a regular to the hotel and even the staff recognised him.

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