SHIMLA, June 9: Five policemen were injured, one of them seriously, as an automatic loaded rifle went off suddenly, when weapons were being distributed among the police personnel on VVIP duty at the high security "The retreat'' complex, just a day before the arrival of President K. R. Narayanan.Three victims, including constable Deepak were immediately rushed to the Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital, where an operation was performed immediately on him to extricate the bullet from his chest. His condition, alongwith two others, is being described as stable.Two other constables were provided medical aid for simple injuries and were discharged. The incident occurred at 10.30 am. Other head constables admitted in the hospital had sustained injuries in the elbow.The rifle which went off, was said to be AK-47 and the constable distributing the weapons was from the Shimla district police. Those injured were from the 2nd armed police battalion at Dharamsala.Director General of Police B. S. Thakur confirming the incident, admitted that it was apparently a case of negligence and non-adherence to the safety norms on a VVIP visit. "We have taken it very seriously and DIG South range K. S. Rana has been asked to look into the cause of the accident. He will submit his report within two days,'' Thakur said.The DGP, however, maintained that security arrangements were reviewed at the highest level and there was no cause of any worry. The incident was an isolated one and police would handle it suitably.The state government has made alternative arrangements for the President at Annadale ground and Jubbar Hatti airport, keeping in view the weather conditions.Agriculture Minister Vidya Sagar would be the minister-in-waiting while Purnima Chauhan, a joint secretary rank officer has been posted as the liason officer at The Retreat camp office of the President.
