New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said there was no security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab and claimed that the authorities were not informed of a sudden change in route.
"I express regret that PM Modi had to return during his visit to Ferozepur district. We respect our PM. If there were any security lapses during PM Modi's visit today, then we will conduct an inquiry. There was no danger to the PM," CM Channi said.
The Punjab Chief Minister further said the authorities had asked the PMO to discontinue the visit due to bad weather conditions and protests.
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"We had no information of his (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) sudden route change. There was no security lapse during the PM visit," Channi said.
Channi further said he cound not receive PM Modi at Bathinda airport as those who had to accompany him tested Covid-19 positive.
"I had to receive the PM at Bathinda today but those who had to accompany me tested Covid positive. Hence, I did not go to receive the PM today as I was in close contact with some who tested positive," Channi said.
PM Modi, who was travelling by road in Punjab, was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes due to blockade by some protesters.
"The farmers have been agitating peacefully for the last one year. I am not going to lathi-charge at farmers. We spoke to farmers the whole last night after which they ended their agitation. Today, suddenly some agitators gathered in Ferozepur district," Channi further said.
In a statement, the Home Ministry said that the Prime Minister's schedule and travel plan was communicated well in advance to the Punjab government. The ministry also asked the Punjab government to fix responsibility for the lapse and take strict action.
"The Ministry of Home Affairs has sought a detailed report on today’s security breach in Punjab. Such dereliction of security procedure in the Prime Minister's visit is totally unacceptable and accountability will be fixed," Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted.
PM Modi was scheduled to lay the foundation stones of development projects worth over Rs 42,750 crore, including the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway and a PGIMER satellite centre.