DGP says he had objected to PM Modi, Rahul's visit hours after Paravur tragedy

Thiruvananthapuram: Director General of Police T.P Senkumar said he had objected to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kollam within hours of the explosion at the Puttingal temple during a fireworks display Sunday.

“I did object to the idea of the Prime Minister visiting the region within 12 hours of the accident,” Senkumar told The Indian Express.

“I told them it would be better for the PM to visit the spot a day after the disaster. But the PM wanted to visit that day itself. Our entire force had been working from early morning, engaged in rescue and relief work. So much work was still left and all of them were tired because there was no provision of even drinking water. We had to make arrangements for the safety and security of Prime Minister Modi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi too,” he said.

The DGP also criticised the lack of support of the district administration.

“When our men were on the verge of collapse, no arrangement had been made to supply them even drinking water. The district administration was absent during these stages,” he said.