Bhubaneswar, July 4: A 21- year-old man was detained for allegedly brandishing a knife.

He threatened the personal manager to the special secretary, housing and urban development department, at the secretariat today.

Though police had not received any formal complaints till the time of filing this report, police commissioner R.P. Sharma said a probe into the incident had been ordered.

Susant Kumar Naik, a resident of Bhapur in Dhenkanal district, was detained after he was caught with a knife in the urban development department. Sources said it was an act of desperation on the part of the youth, who was fed up with the inordinate delay in his appointment under the rehabilitation scheme. He threatened Sasmita Mallick when she refused his request for a meeting with the special secretary.

"The youth told me that he needed to meet the special secretary. Though he did not have an appointment, he insisted on meeting the special secretary to hand him an application. When I responded by saying a meeting without permission was not possible, he whipped out a knife and threatened me," said Sasmita. Later, other employees of the department snatched the knife from Susant.

Police said the father of the youth died five years ago while working at the public health department, which is part of the housing and urban development department, in Dhenkanal district.

"Susant has been visiting the state secretariat frequently for a job under the rehabilitation scheme," said a police official.

Susant, however, denied the charges. "I requested her for arranging a meeting with the secretary for official purpose but she was unwilling. I did not brandish a knife," he said.

Further investigation revealed the youth has entered the secretariat with an old pass that was issued last month. The incident has raised questions about the security measures that are being followed at the secretariat.

Sources said there is a 130-strong special security battalion (SSB) including armed personnel to man the five gates of the secretariat. However, it is often alleged that visitors are allowed entry without proper frisking.

"Many visitors enter the secretariat through the rear gate. Though as per the guidelines, people who are staff members or those who possess valid passes should be allowed entry, violations are frequent," alleged an employee of the secretariat on conditions of anonymity.

Though some door-frame metal detectors have been installed, employees alleged visitors can avoid them with ease. In January 2012, the chief secretary's office had received a detonator in a parcel.

The police commissioner said: "We have asked for a detailed report and departmental action would be initiated against policemen found guilty of negligence of duty. We will also review the security at the state secretariat."