Patna, Jan. 7: In what looked like a security breach, a group of 50 people, mostly women, tried to stop the cavalcade of Jitan Ram Manjhi in front of the old secretariat forcing it to take an alternative route.

The incident occurred around 4.21pm under the jurisdiction Sachivalaya police station area when the chief minister was on his way to Adhiveshan Bhavan on the premises of the old secretariat to participate in a programme of the building construction department.

Acting swiftly, Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Jitender Rana suspended Sachivalaya station house officer Rajeev Singh on charges of negligence of duty.

'The cavalcade was on its way to Adhiveshan Bhavan. We suddenly spotted a large group of people blocking the road in front of the main gate of the old secretariat. They had banners in their hands. We immediately sensed trouble and took a U-turn around 20m from the Karpoori roundabout. The cavalcade took a U-turn around 500m from the spot where the protesters were blocking the road. We changed course and took an alternative route to the destination. The CM entered the Adhiveshan Bhavan around 4.45 pm,' said a police officer, who was part of the cavalcade.

Police sources said the protesters claimed they had appeared for an examination in 2009 for the post of constables and had been selected.

However, they have not been recruited because of 'legal nitty-gritty' and were thus protesting.

'The movement of the chief minister is very important and the routes are ascertained at least half-an-hour to 45 minutes before he starts. All along the route, there are cops who ensure that the roads remain clear from any kind of disturbances like jams or blockades. It is very strange that so many of them with posters and banners appeared in front of the old secretariat gate and no one could notice them,' said another police officer.

He added that it was a case of negligence.

'Fortunately, the CM's cavalcade was not stopped as officers on board noticed a crowd and immediately changed the route. Until now, no one has been arrested or detained and some of those protesting were taken to the CM secretariat because the chief minister, too, wished to know about the issue,' said the officer.

This is the second incident in a week when the CM had to face protests.

On Monday, during the weekly janata darbar of the CM, a person protested by throwing a shoe at him. The person, who hails from Chhapra, was arrested and had been sent to jail.