New Delhi: The Punjab government has set up a high-level team to probe security lapses into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit yesterday. The three-member committee will submit a report in three days.
On Wednesday in a stern letter, the Ministry of Home Affairs, alleged a “major lapse in the security of PM Narendra Modi” who was in Punjab to attend some events.
Punjab government failed to deploy additional security to secure any movement by road, it alleged. Amid road being blocked by protesting farmers, PM Modi’s cavalcade was stuck on a flyover. As PM Modi’s car remained stuck on the flyover, SPG personnel sprung into action and surrounded his car to prevent any untoward incident.
Top government sources said, “What was witnessed on the flyover was a surprising scene of connivance between Punjab police and so-called protestors. Only the Punjab Police knew the precise route of the Prime Minister. Never has such police behavior been witnessed. This is the single biggest lapse in security of any Indian Prime Minister in recent years.”
Images of the PM’s cavalcade stuck on the flyover showed private cars approaching the cavalcade, which was a major security lapse.
PM Modi was slated to go to the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala by helicopter. But due to rain and poor visibility, it was decided that he would travel by road, which would take more than 2 hours. “He proceeded to travel by road after necessary confirmation of security arrangements were made by the DGP Punjab Police,” the MHA said.
BJP National President JP Nadda also slammed the Punjab government and said “CM Charanjit Channi refused to get on the phone to either address the matter or solve it.”
“The PM’s schedule and travel plan were 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, as per the contingency plan, the Punjab government has to deploy additional security to secure any movement by road, which was clearly not deployed,” the MHA’s statement read.
The MHA also said that the PM was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes. “This was a major lapse in the security of PM,” it said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has taken cognisance of the “serious security lapse” and has sought a detailed report from the state government. The Punjab government has also been asked to fix responsibility for this lapse and take strict action.
PM Modi was scheduled to address a rally in Ferozepur on Wednesday, but the event had to be cancelled
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