KOLLAM: Why would two uniformed men land in a paddy field around 6.30 pm from a helicopter using parachutes? It was precisely this question that prompted folks — with the recent ‘LTTE infiltration’ fresh in their minds — near Karunagappally to alert the police on Wednesday evening. The police who rushed to the scene promptly took the two into custody.
The uniformed men turned out to be two Naval officers, Ajithkumar, 31, of Thirumala in Thiruvananthapuram, and his friend Lekshman Shetty, 43, from Mumbai. Both of them had landed in a paddy field at Adinad Sanghapura Mukku to catch a bus to Karunagappally.
According to the police, the officers belong to INS Sujatha which was patrolling the sea. Both Ajithkumar and Lekshman Shetty were sanctioned leave when the ship anchored near Karunagappally coast. They used the helicopter to reach the nearest railway station — Karunagappally.
Police said though both produced their ID cards and other records, the next step could be decided only after getting clearance from the DGP. Till then, the duo have been kept under custody.
However, Naval officials clarified that there was nothing wrong in the act as it is a regular practice.
If a person wants to reach home in an emergency situation, the Navy usually disembarks him to the nearest shore.