New Delhi: The war of words between the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) escalated on Thursday amid the huge controversy over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security lapse during his visit to Punjab.
Prior to PM Modi's visit, the Punjab Police was directed to “prepare the required diversion plans in advance” in three separate memos on January 1, 2 and 4.
These memos were sent by a senior state police officer to the chief minister’s office and other officials.
Citing the “farmers’ movement”, the note asked the state administration and the cops on duty to anticipate their movement with a caution for preparedness and contingency action.
The note, sent barely 24 hours before Prime Minister Modi’s scheduled visit to Bathinda and Firozpur, also mentioned that alternative routes and necessary road diversions should be undertaken in case of road blockades.
This note, therefore, raises the question as to why the Punjab Police was negligent even after being issued repeated memos.
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“The roads may be blocked as a result of protest. Hence, please make necessary traffic diversion plans in advance. Please inform your SSP personally to assess the farmers’ plans and make necessary arrangements at the individual level,” says the note issued by Punjab ADGP (Law and Order) Naresh Arora.
The note was sent to 11 ADGP rank officers in addition to the nodal officer posted on the Prime Minister’s duty.
ABP Gets Access To Internal Note:
ABP News has found another detailed internal note of the ADGP where the Punjab Police was informed about the possibility of rain. Besides, there was a demand made for a “road clearance plan”.
The question now arises whether Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh’s government purposely did not take into account the security briefing that caused a lapse.
This correspondence was sent earlier on January 1.
Rain Predicted Prior To PM’s Visit:
Clearly, the use of road due to the rainy season was also estimated in the internal note as it clearly states the CM and other VIPs will also be travelling through the road in your area, especially from Chandigarh to Ferozepur sector, please plan the route arrangements in advance at an individual level due to rain forecast on January 5.
The same was stated in the January 1 correspondence.
Why Politics Over PM’s Security Breach?
The note sent on January 4 also mentioned about preventing the protesters or motivated political organisations from reaching the rally venue.
“You are further instructed to monitor the movement of farmers and they should not be allowed to go to Ferozepur district to create disturbances in the rally,” the note says.
The Congress leaders, including Chief Minister Channi, said Prime Minister Modi’s road travel plan was changed at the last minute despite the state police writing to him thrice warning to have an alternative route plan, keeping in mind both bad weather and the farmers’ protest.
Note Sent On January 2:
The Punjab Police had asked for deployment of force at all checkpoints and important places in the city, including Hussainiwala border.
The note clearly states that organisers are gathering around one lakh people from all districts of Punjab and there is a possibility of massive traffic jam.
“You are requested to make the necessary traffic and route arrangements in your area to ensure smooth movement of traffic by deploying personnel at crucial points,” the note sent on January 2 states.
Several videos have surfaced from the site where the farmers and agitators are seen gathering around the public address site and on the highway from where Prime Minister Modi’s cavalcade is to pass. The message sent on January 2 directed the state police to coordinate smoothly with the National Security Group (NSG) for the January 5 program.
“Ferozepur is the land of sugarcane fields, drains and tube wells, need to keep them in mind from the viewpoint of deployment... Extensive use of search dogs for explosives. Please make sure that the protesters do not block the rally route. Plan alternative routes in advance,” the note adds.
This is considered to be a major lapse in Prime Minister Modi’s security as he was seen waiting in his vehicle near Piareana village on Wednesday with the SPG officials providing security. The Prime Minister’s convoy had to take a U-turn as he was stranded on a flyover near the village for 20 minutes.