File photo of PM’s convoy
Bathinda: A major lapse in the security resulted in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi stuck on a flyover for about 20 minutes today, about 30 kms away from the National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala in Punjab where protestors had blocked the road. After this security lapse, it was decided that the PM’s convoy headed back to Bathinda airport.
Taking serious view of the lapse, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sought a detailed report from the Punjab government. The State government has also been asked to fix responsibility for this lapse and take strict action.
The MHA stated that the Prime Minister’s schedule and travel plan was communicated well in advance to the Punjab Government. As per procedure, they have to make necessary arrangements for logistics, security as well as keep a contingency plan ready. “Also in view of the contingency plan the Punjab Government has to deploy additional security to secure any movement by road , which were clearly not deployed,” it stated.
It may be mentioned that today morning Modi had landed at Bathinda from where he was to go to the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala by helicopter. Due to rain and poor visibility, the Prime Minister waited for about 20 minutes for the weather to clear out, but when the weather did not improve, it was decided that he would visit the National Marytrs Memorial via road, which would take more than two hours.
The MHA said that the PM proceeded to travel by road only after necessary confirmation of necessary security arrangements by the Director General of Punjab Police.
The Bharatiya Janata Party President JP Nadda tweeted that fearing a resounding defeat at the hands of the electorate, the Congress Government in Punjab tried all possible tricks to scuttle the PM’s programmes in the state. He stated, “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.” While Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi claimed there was no threat to the PM’s life, the national general secretary of Congress Party, Randeep Singh Surjewala, however, tweeted that the reason behind the PM cancelling the rally was the lacklustre response of the people and empty chairs there.
Modi had visited Punjab today to attend a programme in Ferozepur, where he was to lay the foundation stone of development works worth Rs. 42,750 crore. These projects include Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway; four laning of Amritsar – Una section; Mukerian – Talwara New Broad Gauge railway line; PGI Satellite Centre at Ferozepur and two medical colleges at Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur.
– global bihari bureau
