NEW DELHI: After Jharkhand Mukti Morcha sought President’s intervention over the delay in Hemant Soren’s chopper take-off in view of PM Narendra Modi’s security, chief election officer of Jharkhand said that the protocol wasn’t followed before imposing such restrictions. He said that the airport has been asked for a clarification report and that the action would taken accordingly.
“This issue was raised by some political party over equal use of airspace and airport of Ranchi and Deoghar. Regarding this, we had a meeting with the Ranchi Airport Director, in which had clarified that there will be no restrictions unless there is any closure of airspace,” K Ravi said.
“If such a thing happens then he has to inform about the protocols in public beforehand. The protocol was not followed. We have asked for a clarification report from the Airport. After receiving the report, we will take action,” he added.
‘Their conspiracy continues’
Reacting to the delay, Soren called it a “conspiracy” of the BJP. “Their conspiracy keeps going,” Jharkhand CM told ANI.
The ruling JMM in Jharkhand had written to Droupadi Murmu seeking a level-playing field for star campaigners after a no-fly zone had been imposed in view of PM Modi’s security which led to a one-and-a-half hour delay in Soren’s chopper take off.
“Our star campaigner Hemant Soren was scheduled to address an election meeting at 2.25 pm at Bazar Tand in Simdega after holding a meeting at Gudri in West Singhbhum at 1.45 pm,” JMM said.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to be in Chaibasa at 2.40 pm to address an election rally. The distance between Gudri and Chaibasa is 80 km while it is 90 km to Simdega. The EC had given its approval to Soren’s visit. But the CM’s helicopter was grounded for one-and-a-half hours, citing the security protocol of the prime minister,” party spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya added.