State cops slam brakes on ministers’ convoys

The state intelligence security wing has asked vehicles in VIP convoys to reduce speed following a series of fatal road accidents involving them.

As if to stress the urgency of such a move, a police jeep on Tuesday mowed down two women while going on bandobust duty for the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah’s visit to Guntur.

On March 25, a vehicle in the convoy of the minister of state for defence, Mr Pallam Raju, rammed into an auto at Preumallapuram in East Godavari district killing five persons and injuring two others.

Likewise, on February 8, six persons were killed when the convoy of the chief whip, Mr Mallu Batti Vikarmarka, hit an auto near Choutuppal in Nalgonda district.

“The hyper enthusiasm shown by drivers of escort vehicles result in such accidents on highways and rural roads,” said a senior IPS official.

“Lack of communications between the escort officer and tail-end officer also lead to such mishaps.”

VIP convoys have now been asked to be cautious particularly near school zones, crowded cross roads and while overtaking speeding vehicles.