PM’s Punjab visit cut short as protesters block road

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab, where he was to lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over ₹42,750 crore, was cut short as protesters blocked the road on which his convoy was travelling, around 30 km away from Hussainiwala on Wednesday.

“Around 30 km from National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala, when the PM’s convoy reached a flyover, it was found that the road was blocked by some protesters. The PM was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes. This was a major lapse in the security of the PM,” said a statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

After this security lapse, it was decided that the PM head back to Bathinda airport, it added.

‘Fix responsibility’

“The Ministry of Home Affairs, taking cognisance of this serious security lapse, has sought a detailed report from the State government. The government has also been asked to fix responsibility for this lapse and take strict action,” the statement said.

About nine farmer unions had announced that they would hold protests in the State during Modi’s visit on January 5. The PM was to address a rally in Ferozepur and lay the foundation stone of several development projects, including two major road corridors, a new broad gauge railway line, a medical satellite centre and two medical colleges.

Modi landed at Bathinda on Wednesday morning, from where he was to go to National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala by helicopter. Due to rain and poor visibility, the PM waited for about 20 minutes and, when the weather didn’t improve, it was decided that he would visit the memorial via road. “He proceeded to travel by road after confirmation of necessary security arrangements by the DGP Punjab Police,” the release said.

The Home Ministry said that the PM’s schedule and travel plans 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. In view of the contingency plan, the Punjab Government has to deploy additional security to secure any movement by road, which were clearly not deployed,” the release said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cavalcade stuck on a flyover in Ferozepur on Wednesday, on January 5, 2021

Channi expresses regret

Later in the day, State Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi expressed regret over the incident, but asserted that there was no security lapse.

“The Prime Minister had to visit for the inauguration and address a political rally. We regret that he had to return due to a blockade en route,” Channi told reporters here.

“After all, he is the Prime Minister of the country. We respect him. There is a democratic system and federal system,” he said.

The row over PM’s visit also saw the BJP and Congress engaging in a war of words. While BJP chief JP Nadda accused the Congress government in Punjab of trying all possible tricks to scuttle Modi's programmes in the State fearing a resounding defeat at the hands of the electorate, the Congress said the BJP was enacting a petty political drama over a “so-called breach” in PM’s security.

Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the Prime Minister had to cancel his rally in Ferozepur as there were no crowds at the event and no one wanted to listen to him.

With inputs from PTI

COMMENT NOW