In a roadshow on Thursday, the Hubballi-Dharwad Police refuted claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security had been compromised ahead of the National Youth Festival's inauguration ceremony in Karnataka city.
During the roadshow, a youth purportedly broke through a barricade and ran toward PM Modi's car.
“There was no such breach in the prime minister's security cover. A person tried to give a garland to PM Modi at his roadshow. We are gathering more information about the person,” Gopal Byakod, DCP Crime, Hubballi-Dharwad, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
ANI reported citing sources, the Special Protection Group (SPG) frisked everyone in the enclosure from which the boy arrived, and the entire area was sanitised by security services. “It is not a serious lapse, a source said.
When the incident occurred, Modi was standing on the running board of his moving car, waving to a cheering audience on both sides of the road as he drove from the airport to the Railway Sports Ground.
Modi stretched his hand to accept the garland but was unable to touch the youngster. The garland was taken by security agents escorting him on the route and given to the PM, who placed it inside the car.
The on-duty cops and traffic officers instantly drew the boy back and snatched him away. Along the way, Modi waved to the audience, many of whom were chanting 'Modi, Modi' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai,' reported the news agency PTI.
According to the report, people showered flower petals on his cavalcade as it gently moved through the area. On the occasion of Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary, Modi inaugurated the National Youth Festival at Hubballi.
Karnataka, which is dominated by the BJP, will hold an assembly election in May.
(With Inputs From Agencies)