THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A serious police lapse was confirmed in Monday’s incident of SFI workers stopping the Governor's cavalcade at three places in the state capital. The governor's travel route to the airport was informed to officers including the assistant commissioner, and still, the SFI workers were able to protest freely even in the middle of the road.

All three locations that the SFI protested were earlier picked and warned by the intelligence. However, only a few police forces were deployed here which adds to the doubts about police complicity in the case. There was a serious flaw in communication between law and order, traffic and control room officials. Albeit getting a warning about possible protests in the Palayam University library area, Police forces were deployed only near the underpass area.

As soon as they saw the protesters in front of the library, the pilot vehicle slowed down and the policemen got out of the car for a while. If there is a protest against the VIPs, the protocol suggests pilot vehicle should leave quickly. The police in the pilot vehicle should come out only when the protestors stop the vehicle.

The CCTV footage of the nearby hotels is being checked to know whether the pilot vehicles stopped seeing the protesters or not. When the pilot vehicle stopped, the governor's car was also forced to a stop. This gave the SFI cadres ample opportunity to attack the vehicle and thrash the bonnet and rear glass. The car suffered damage worth Rs 76,357.

The police did not try to stop the protesters who were on the side of the road or to prevent them from jumping in front of the convoy. The statement of the police driver of the pilot vehicle said that the car was stopped when the protesters jumped. Meanwhile, DGP had suggested officials check the CCTV visuals to confirm the truth.

Action may also be taken against the Assistant Commissioners who were in charge of police deployment. The denial to depute more police officials even after getting orders from higher officials is a security failure nonetheless. Police Commissioner CH Nagaraju will give a report to Police Chief Sheikh Darvesh Sahib apprising about these matters.