PM’s Security Lapse, BJP Says Charanjit Channi Refused To Get On Phone
PM Modi returned to the airport without attending an event in Bathinda.
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled his events in Punjab today after he was stuck on a flyover for around 20 minutes because of protesters – a massive security breach that has ignited a conflict between the centre and the Congress-ruled state ahead of elections.
PM Modi returned to the airport in Bathinda because of the breach, the Home Ministry said in a statement blaming the Congress government for failing to prepare for the visit.
“The PM was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes. This was a major lapse in the security of PM,” said the Home Ministry.
When the PM’s convoy reached a flyover, the road was blocked by protestors.
The Punjab government has not responded so far to the grave charge.
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi cancels his scheduled visit to Punjab’s Ferozepur to address a rally “due to some reasons”, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announces from the stage pic.twitter.com/j9Ykcmv9KA
— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2022
Calling it the “single biggest lapse in the security of any Indian Prime Minister in recent years”, government sources accused the Punjab police of “conniving” with so-called protesters. Only the Punjab Police knew the PM’s precise route, the sources said.
The Prime Minister landed at Bathinda earlier today for his visit to a National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala. He was to be flown by helicopter but due to rain and poor visibility, he waited for about 20 minutes for the weather to clear up.
“When the weather didn’t improve, it was decided that he would visit the National Martyrs Memorial via road, which would take more than two hours. He proceeded to travel by road after necessary confirmation of necessary security arrangements by the DGP Punjab Police,” the Home Ministry said.
Around 30 km from the memorial, when the PM’s convoy reached a flyover, the road was blocked by protestors.
“The PM’s schedule and travel plan were communicated well in advance to 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, Punjab Government has to deploy additional security to secure any movement by road, which was clearly not deployed. After this security lapse, it was decided to head back to Bathinda airport.”
Government sources said it was a “surprising scene of connivance between the Punjab police and so-called protesters”.
The home ministry has sought a detailed report from the Punjab government, which has been asked to fix responsibility and take action.
At Ferozepur, where the PM was to address a rally, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on stage that he was not coming after all.
“The prime minister wanted to meet you all, but because of some reasons, he is not going to be with us today. The PM has said that these programmes (inauguration) have been postponed and not cancelled,” the Health Minister told the gathering.
BJP chief JP Nadda hit out at Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi in a series of tweets and accused him of refusing to take phone calls.
“It is sad that PM’s visit to launch development projects worth thousands of crores for Punjab was disrupted… State Police was instructed to prevent people from attending the rally…CM Channi refused to get on phone to either address the matter or solve it,” Mr Nadda tweeted.
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.
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) January 5, 2022
