MANDYA: A police inspector in Mandya was suspended for laxity in extending security cover to chief minister Siddaramaiah during a tour even as Siddaramaiah defended his action for publicly admonishing Mandya superintendent of police Sudheer Kumar Reddy.Malavalli town Circle Inspector B Devaraju was suspended and a departmental inquiry ordered against him and Mandya police started probing the security lapse. Malavalli Rural inspector Srikantha has been put in-charge of Malavalli Town station. IGP (southern range) Vipul Kumar told STOI the inspector was suspended for not making proper security arrangements during the CM's visit. A probe has been ordered, he said.Meanwhile, sources in Mandya police said an in-depth inquiry is on to ascertain the security lapses which led to two BJP workers forcibly stopping Siddaramaiah's convoy on Thursday. Following the incident, a visibly upset CM publicly lashed out at the SP at Malavalli.Malavalli police booked a case against two BJP workers, Mahendra and Ashok Kumar, for their protest during the visit. The CM defended his action against the SP. When reporters at Shivamogga told him his action was being criticized on social media, he shot back: "Should I not question anything?" He added, "If protesters holding a BJP flag came near my vehicle and had been hit, who would have been responsible? The police should take precautions. That's what I questioned."

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