New Delhi: Taking cognisance of the “serious security lapse” during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab, the Union Home Ministry on Wednesday sought a detailed report from the state government.
The Home Ministry has asked the Punjab government to fix responsibility for this lapse and take strict action.
Stating Prime Minister Modi’s schedule and travel plan was communicated well in advance to the Punjab government, the Home Ministry said: “As per procedure, they have to make necessary arrangements for logistics, security as well as keep a contingency plan ready.”
In view of the contingency plan, the Home Ministry said the Punjab government has also to deploy additional security to secure any movement by road, which were clearly not deployed.
Throwing light on the security breach, the Home Ministry said: “Today morning PM landed at Bathinda from where he was to go to National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala by helicopter. Due to rain and poor visibility, PM waited for about 20 minutes for the weather to clear out.”
“When the weather didn’t improve, it was decided that he would visit the National Marytrs Memorial via road, which would take more than 2 hours. He proceeded to travel by road after necessary confirmation of necessary security arrangements by the DGP Punjab Police,” the ministry added.
The Home Ministry further said around 30 kms away from National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala, when the Prime Minister’s convoy reached a flyover, it was found that the road was blocked by some protestors.
“The PM was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes. This was a major lapse in the security of PM,” the Home Ministry said.
“After this security lapse, it was decided to head back to Bathinda airport,” the ministry added.
BJP And Congress In War Of Words
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president J.P. Nadda also expressed his ire over the security breach in Prime Minister Modi’s convoy near Punjab’s Hussainiwala in Ferozepur district and lashed out at the ruling Congress in the state.
"Fearing a resounding defeat at the hands of the electorate, the Congress Government in Punjab tried all possible tricks to scuttle the PM @narendramodi Ji’s programmes in the state," he tweeted.
"What is extremely worrisome is that this incident was also a big security lapse as far as the PM is concerned. Protestors were given access to the Prime Minister's route while the Punjab CS and DGP gave assurances to SPG that the route is clear," Nadda further said.
The BJP chief also said that Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi refused to get on the phone to either address the matter or solve it.
"It is sad that the PM's visit to launch development projects worth thousands of crores for Punjab was disrupted. But we will not let such cheap mentality hinder progress of Punjab and will continue the effort for the development of Punjab," Nadda said.
Replying to Nadda, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said BJP cancelled the rally as there were no crowds to listen to PM Modi.
"10,000 security personnel were deployed for PM’s rally, all arrangements were made in tandem with SPG & other agencies, route was carved even for all buses of BJP workers from Haryana/Rajasthan. PM decided to take a road journey to Hussainiwala. It was not part of his original schedule to travel by road," Surjewala tweeted.