A significant security lapse occurred during Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's visit to Gorakhpur, when a stray cow came dangerously close to his vehicle moments after he stepped out. The incident, which took place on Friday evening, has prompted swift action and an internal investigation, leading to the suspension of a municipal official.
Details of the Gorakhpur Security Incident
The event unfolded as the Chief Minister arrived to inaugurate the newly constructed Gorakhnath overbridge. Official reports state that CM Yogi Adityanath's car halted at the venue. Following protocol, BJP MP Ravi Kishan exited the vehicle first, with the Chief Minister following closely behind.
Within seconds of the CM stepping onto the ground, a cow unexpectedly ran towards the official vehicle and began moving in his direction. Alert security personnel, part of the VVIP protection detail, reacted immediately. They formed a tight cordon around the Chief Minister, successfully blocked the animal's path, and drove it away from the secure area, preventing any physical harm or closer contact.
Investigation and Immediate Fallout
The incident gained widespread attention after a video of the breach surfaced on social media on Sunday. Following this, Municipal Commissioner Gaurav Singh Sograwal ordered an urgent internal probe to determine how the animal managed to breach the security perimeter despite standard pre-visit checks and sanitisation procedures.
The preliminary inquiry pointed to negligence in civic arrangements. Municipal corporation supervisor Arvind Kumar, who was responsible for monitoring civic arrangements in the area, has been suspended for his failure to prevent the breach. Commissioner Sograwal emphasized that any lapse concerning VVIP security is unacceptable and stated that all arrangements would be thoroughly reviewed and tightened to prevent a recurrence.
A Pattern of Recent Security Concerns
This event marks the third reported security lapse involving Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath within a short span of just 17 days. The series of incidents has raised questions about protocol enforcement.
On December 2, in Varanasi, an intoxicated man breached the security cordon during the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam event where the CM was present. Merely two days later, on December 4, also in Gorakhpur, a bus entered a restricted warning zone during the Chief Minister's movement to the airport. Officials highlighted that VVIP movements involve thorough route and venue sanitisation in advance, making these repeated breaches a serious concern for security agencies.
The suspension of a civic official underscores the administration's strict stance on security failures. However, the consecutive incidents indicate a need for a comprehensive review of security planning and ground-level execution during high-profile visits in the state.
