New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally at Ferozepur in poll-bound Punjab was cancelled as there was a major lapse in the security of PM, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Wednesday. In a statement, the MHA said the Prime Minister, who was on his way to the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala from Bathinda, was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes due to blockade by some protesters.
The MHA said it has taken cognisance of the serious security lapse and has sought a detailed report from the Punjab government.
"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 two hours. He proceeded to travel by road after necessary confirmation of necessary security arrangements by the DGP Punjab Police," the MHA said.
"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 statement read.
"The PM’s schedule and travel plan was 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 were clearly not deployed," it said.
The MHA further said it has asked the Punjab Government to fix responsibility for this lapse and take strict action.
News agency ANI quoted officials at Bhatinda Airport saying that PM Modi upon his return to the airport told them, “Apne CM ko thanks kehna, ki mein Bhatinda airport tak zinda laut paaya" (Thank your CM that I returned to the Bhatinda airport alive).
Hitting out at the Congress government in Punjab after Modi's rally was called off, BJP president J P Nadda said it was trying "all possible tricks to scuttle" Prime Minister Narendra Modi's programmes 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," Nadda said on Twitter.
Nadda, in a series of tweets, said, "In doing they did not bother that the PM was to pay tributes to Bhagat Singh & other martyrs, and lay the foundation stone for key development works. By their cheap antics, Congress Gov in Punjab has shown that they are anti-development & have no respect for freedom fighters too."
"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," he said. "To make matters worse, CM Channi refused to get on the phone to either address the matter or solve it. The tactics used by the Congress government in Punjab would pain anyone who believes in democratic principles," he added.
"The state police was instructed to prevent people from attending the rally. Large number of buses were stranded because of the high-handedness of the police & connivance with protestors," he wrote.
"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," he further said.
Reacting to Nadda's tweets, Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala asked him to "stop losing cool and all sense of propriety." Surjewala, in a series of tweets, said, "Dear Naddaji, Pl remember-1. 10,000 security personnel were deployed for PM’s Rally 2. All arrangements were made in tandem with SPG & other agencies 3. 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. Kisan mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) has been protesting against PM’s visit & Union Min, Gajendra Shekhawat has held two rounds of negotiation with them," Surjewala said.
"Do u know why KMSC & Farmers are protesting against PM Modi? Their demands are: Sack MOS Home, Ajay Misra Teni, Withdraw criminal cases against farmers in Haryana, Delhi & UP, Compensation for kin of 700 Farmers who died, Committee on MSP & a quick decision," he said.
"Post Farmer’s agitation, Modi Govt chose to totally ignore these promises. Finally, the reason for canceling rally is that there were no crowds to listen to Modiji. Stop blame game & introspect on BJP’s anti-farmer attitude. Hold rallies but listen to Farmers first!," he added.
Read: Channi says Modi Firozepur visit fiasco not a security lapse, says Modi welcome to Punjab again
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also came down heavily on the Congress party and its government in Punjab over the "security lapse" during PM Modi's visit to the state. In a series of tweets, Shah slammed Congress and said that such dereliction of the security during the prime minister's visit is totally unacceptable and accountability will be fixed.
"Today’s Congress-made happening in Punjab is a trailer of how this party thinks and functions. Repeated rejections by the people have taken them to the path of insanity. The topmost echelons of the Congress owe an apology to the people of India for what they have done," he said. Shah said the MHA has sought a detailed report on the security breach during the PM's visit to Punjab.
