Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had some tense moments when smoke emanated from a bag inside the helicopter which was ready to fly him to Peddapalli from the helipad at Laxmipalli in Karimnagar on Tuesday.
Senior officials of the district who at the helipad panicked after seeing the smoke and party workers who had come to see off the CM tried to rush towards the helipad. Rumour mills went into overdrive with reports of the CM’s helicopter catching fire. The district police had to use social media to rubbish the rumours. Vernacular channels started airing the news of the incident forcing senior police officials to issue a clarification.
Director General of Police M. Mahender Reddy said that the incident occurred after the wireless set kept in the bag heated up and smoke emanated from the gadget. “We have ordered an enquiry into the incident. An official will probe the matter and submit a report,” said the DGP.
He has also asked for a check of VHF set batteries and wireless set apparatus carried by personnel guarding VIPs.
The Chief Minister travels with Z plus category security. An official familiar with the VVIP security apparatus said that security personnel accompanying the Chief Minister generally carry some communication equipment such as a satellite phone and VHF wireless set to communicate with officials on the ground.
