Audio equipment malfunction triggers alert ahead of PM’s public meeting

A minor technical glitch led to tense moments at a public meeting venue in Kerala’s Palakkad district on Sunday, shortly before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to address a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rally .

Police officials said smoke was noticed emanating from an amplifier connected to the public address system at Kottamaidanam , the rally site, nearly half an hour before the Prime Minister’s arrival. The development briefly raised concerns among authorities overseeing the event arrangements.

Sound system operators, along with police personnel stationed at the venue, acted swiftly to disconnect and remove the faulty equipment. Preliminary findings indicated that the amplifier may have overheated due to excessive load.

A replacement amplifier was installed without delay, restoring the sound system and ensuring that the programme continued without interruption. Officials confirmed that no injuries or damage were reported in the incident.

Despite the brief disruption, a large crowd had gathered at the venue, while many others lined the roads to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister, who arrived by helicopter at a nearby ground.

Authorities described the incident as a routine equipment malfunction that was promptly contained, allowing the rally to proceed as planned.