MANDYA: A video showing a youth riding a police vehicle on Krishnaraja Sagar dam, accompanied by an officer, has raised concerns about a security breach at the reservoir, which is a no-access zone. As the video went viral, questions are also being raised as to how the youth was allowed to drive the police vehicle.
Police remained tight-lipped on the video, saying a probe was on to ascertain its veracity and identity of the two men. ASP Dhananjaya refused to comment on the matter. “We are still establishing the origin of the video and when it was recorded. A proper investigation should be launched into this incident and faulty police officer should be prosecuted along with the youth,” said a senior police officer.
The video shows the youth driving the vehicle on the dam while a police officer films him. Sources said the duo are related and possibly went for a joyride. Police said action will be taken against the officer if he is found guilty of allowing the youth to drive a public vehicle in a high-security area.
Residents said while visitors are kept away, VIPs and authorities frequently violate security regulations. Around 100 police personnel their family emembers allegedly held a party on Saturday in the backwaters, which is also a restricted area.
Entry to KRS dam has been banned for three decades now, following the tussle between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery water dispute. There were also fears that the Liberation of Tigers of Tamil Eelam could carry out a strike at the reservoir, citing alleged injustice to TN.