Page 8 - The Indian EYE 011422

NATION JANUARY 14, 2022 | The Indian Eye 8

security breach or politics:

Modi’s visit to Punjab sparks a

row between parties

Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi claims that “barely 700 people turned up at the rally site

which forced the Prime Minister to retrace his steps”

OUR BUREAU
Chandigarh/New Delhi
n Wednesday, Prime Minis-
ter Narendra Modi landed at
OBathinda from where he was
to go to the National Martyrs Memo-
rial at Hussainiwala by helicopter.
Due to rain and poor visibility, the
Prime Minister waited for about 20
minutes for the weather to clear out.
When the weather did not improve,
it was decided that he would visit
the National Martyrs Memorial via
road, which would take more than
two hours. Around 30 km away from
the Memorial, when Modi’s convoy
reached a flyover, it was found that
the road was blocked by some pro-
testers.

The Prime Minister was stuck

on a flyover for 15-20 minutes.
“This was a major lapse in the se-
curity of the Prime Minister. The
Prime Minister’s schedule and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convoy near Hussainiwala in Ferozepur district on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convoy was
stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes. (ANI)
travel plan was communicated
well in advance to the Punjab to Bathinda Airport,” it added. responsibility for this lapse and take A team of MHA is seeking de-
Government. as per procedure, Now, the Punjab government has strict action. Despite having intelli- tails of deployment, picket, rooftop
constituted a high-level committee to gence inputs about protesters, Punjab deployment, barricades and other se-
they have to make necessary probe the security lapses that occurred Police did not follow the ‘Blue Book’ curity measures taken by Punjab Po-
arrangements for logistics, se- during Prime Minister Narendra Mo- and had not prepared a contingency lice during the Prime Minister’s visit.
di’s visit to Ferozepur. “The commit-
route for Prime Minister’s visit, said
“A report has been demanded from
curity as well as keep a contin- tee shall submit its report within three a senior Ministry of Home Affairs intelligence agencies over the security
gency plan ready,” the home days,” said a spokesperson. (MHA) official. Protection Group’s lapse,” he added.
The Central government has said
But a day after Prime Minister
Special
Ministry said in a statement. “ only the Punjab Police knew the pre- (SPG) Blue Book lays down secu- Narendra Modi’s security breach in
cise route of the PM and “never has rity guidelines for the protection of Punjab, Chief Minister Charanjit
Also, in view of the contingency such police behavior been witnessed”. the Prime Minister. “As per the Blue Singh Channi on Thursday claimed
plan, the Punjab Government has to The Home Ministry has taken cogni- Book, the state police have to prepare that “barely 700 people turned up at
deploy additional security to secure zance of the “serious security lapse” contingency route for the protectee in the rally site which forced the Prime
any movement by road, which were and has sought a detailed report from case of any adverse situation like the Minister to retrace his steps” and later
clearly not deployed. After this secu- the Punjab government. The state one that happened in Punjab during the blame was pinned on the Punjab
rity lapse, it was decided to head back government has also been asked to fix PM’s visit,” said the MHA official. Continued at next page... >>

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