PM Modi stuck on road for 15-20 mins; MHA seeks report from state on 'security lapse'
Punjab: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stuck on a flyover during his Punjab visit on Wednesday- a lapse the Centre has blamed on Punjab government and sought a report.
"Around 30 kms away from National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala, when the PM’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 MHA said.
Government sources in Delhi said only Punjab Police knew the exact route to be taken by the PM's motorcade, and hinted at a complicity with protesters.
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.
Around 30 kms away from National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala, when the PM’s convoy reached a flyover, it was found that the road was blocked by some protestors.
As per the original plan, PM Modi was to take a helicopter to Hussainwala after landing at Bathinda airport. Poor weather conditions forced a change in plan, and it was decided that the PM would travel to the National Marytrs Memorial via road- a journey of over two hours. The convoy proceeded on the journey only after confirmation of necessary security arrangements by the DGP Punjab, the MHA said.
It further said that the Punjab government did not deploy additional security as a contingency plan to secure any movement by road. After this, the PM's convoy headed back to Bathinda airport.
PM security lapse: Live updates
MHA said it is taking cognisance of this serious security lapse has sought a detailed report from the state government. It has also been asked to fix responsibility for this lapse and take strict action.
"What was witnessed on the flyover was a surprising scene of connivance between Punjab police and so called protestors. Only Punjab police knew the precise route of the PM. Never has such police behavior been witnessed. This is the single biggest lapse in security of any Indian PM in recent years," government sources said.
PM's rally in Ferozepur was cancelled today. The MHA blamed the cancellation on poor weather conditions.
Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who was present on the dais, announced the cancellation, attributing it to "some reasons."
Punjab govt denies charge
Punjab minister Rajkumar Verka, ruling out any lapse on the part of the Punjab government, labelled MHA's accusations as "baseless."
"The truth is that BJP's rally was a flop show. When PM got to know this, he decided to return," he further said.
Nadda, Assam CM blame Punjab govt
BJP president JP Nadda lashed out at the Punjab government for the secuirty lapse during the PM's visit. He accused the Channi government of disrupting the launch of development work worth thousands of crores in the state.
"Fearing a resounding defeat at the hands of the electorate, the Congress Government in Punjab tried all possible tricks to scuttle PM's programmes in the state," Nadda said on Twitter.
Nadda accused the Punjab government of giving protesters access to the Prime Minister’s route even as the Punjab chief secretary and DGP gave assurances to SPG that the route is clear.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma too pointed a finger at the Congress government in Punjab, calling it disinterested in the state's development.
"Today's incident shows how Congress is least interested in development and only wants to play politics. Such a security breach in the crucial border state must be enquired at the highest levels," Sarma said.
Congress blames change of route plan
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, taking to Twitter, tried to defend the Punjab government and said that PM taking the road journey was not part of the original plan. He even said that the PM's Ferozepur rally was cancelled as "there were no crowds to listen to Modiji."
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