Rajgir : A serious security lapse was narrowly avoided in Rajgir on Friday when tin sheds were sent flying during the landing of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s helicopter, raising fresh concerns over VIP safety protocols in high-profile events.
CM Nitish Kumar had arrived to inaugurate the newly-constructed Rajgir Sports Academy — a sprawling complex featuring an indoor hall, basketball and handball courts, volleyball grounds, and a hockey practice turf. He also inaugurated a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) within the Rajgir Police Academy. The event, however, took an unexpected turn when two tin sheds near the helipad were lifted into the air due to the forceful downdraft from the helicopter’s rotors.
Sources confirmed that the rogue sheds narrowly missed the aircraft, which could have otherwise led to a devastating crash. Officials have yet to explain how such a basic safety oversight occurred during the landing of the state’s highest executive.
Repeat of Helicopter Scare from 2024
This is not the first time Kumar has faced aviation-related concerns. In a similar incident on May 26, 2024, during the peak of the Lok Sabha election campaign, his helicopter ran out of fuel after addressing a rally at Gandhi Maidan in Masaurhi. The CM had to make an unplanned road journey back to Patna via Chainpur in Sampatchak, expressing his displeasure at the lapse.
Sources close to the matter later suggested Kumar had already been considering a road route, though the confusion exposed gaps in planning and communication among the CM’s logistics team.
Layered Security, but Loose Ends?
CM Nitish Kumar’s security is known to be elaborate, divided into a three-tier structure. The innermost circle, known as the “ring round,” is composed of 8 to 10 armed officers in plain clothes, specially trained for close protection. This is followed by the Special Branch, consisting of armed personnel from the Bihar Armed Police and district units, with deployment levels tailored to crowd size and threat perception.
The outermost layer involves the district police, which remains strictly outside the ring round perimeter unless cleared through designated security officers.
Former Bihar DGP Abhayanand, reflecting on the CM’s security architecture, emphasised the critical role played by every level — from the Director General of Police to the constables. “If the Chief Minister moves even an inch, there are multiple layers of officers already updated with ground status,” he noted.
Calls for Review and Accountability
Friday’s incident is expected to trigger a fresh review of event-site preparedness and helicopter safety protocols, especially concerning helipad infrastructure. Critics argue that such oversights, particularly in high-security zones, are unacceptable and demand accountability from the administration.
