Farmers Movement Archive

In security breach, PM Modi stuck on Punjab flyover for 20 minutes

FEROZPUR/CHANDIGARH: In a major security lapse, PM Narendra Modi was stuck on a flyover for around 20 minutes on his way to Hussainiwala in Punjab due to a group of protesting farmers blocking the highway, leading to the Union home ministry issuing a statement terming the incident as a breach of security protocol and asking the Congress government for a detailed explanation. As per the MHA statement, the PM, who has a high threat perception, was held up on a flyover even as BJP and Congress sparred over the unusual incident with the latter claiming there was a sudden change in Modi’s route and that excuses were being offered to duck a rally with a “thin attendance”. Sources at the Centre alleged what unfolded on the flyover was “a surprising scene of connivance between the Punjab police and so-called protestors” as only the state police was aware of the precise route to be taken by the PM. “Never has such police behaviour been witnessed. This is the single biggest lapse in security of any Indian PM in recent years," said a senior central official who pointed to the risky situation in which the PM was placed for 20 minutes. Read Also'Apne CM ko thanks kehna ... ': PM Modi's dig at chief minister Channi over security lapse in PunjabPrime Minister Narendra Modi, who was stuck on a flyover in Punjab for 20 minutes due to a protest on his route on Wednesday, took a dig at chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi for the "major security lapse." According to news agency ANI, PM Modi on his return to Bhatinda airport told officialsModi’s convoy got stuck on a flyover on the Moga-Ferozepur highway, nearly 20 km before Ferozepur. The MHA sought a detailed report from the Channi government and asked it to "fix responsibility for this lapse and take strict action". Inclement weather in the state ensured that Modi, who landed at Bhisiana air base in Bathinda at 10.25 am on Wednesday, had to abandon the plan to travel by helicopter and instead take the road route to National Martyrs’ Memorial at Ferozepur’s Hussainiwala village on the border with Pakistan. Read AlsoHow did agitators know of PM's route, asks BJPNEW DELHI: BJP functionaries on Wednesday criticised the Punjab government for the security lapse during PM Modi's visit and countered Congress's claims that farmers "suddenly" came onto the road, asking how the agitators knew of the PM's route that was being coordinated by the state police. They"He (the PM) proceeded to travel by road after confirmation of necessary security arrangements by the DGP of Punjab Police," the MHA said. "Around 30 km from the memorial, the Prime Minister’s convoy reached a flyover that was blocked by some protesters," it added. Read AlsoChanni refused to get on phone to resolve crisis: BJPNEW DELHI: BJP functionaries on Wednesday criticised the Punjab government for the security lapse during PM Modi's visit and countered Congress's claims that farmers "suddenly" came onto the road, asking how the agitators knew of the PM's route that was being coordinated by the state police. TheyIn Chandigarh, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi rejected BJP’s charge of a security lapse during the PM visit to Punjab, adding that he regretted the incident. There was a sudden change in the Prime Minister’s programme, he said. "There was nothing like an attack or security threat to the PM. The PM was not to take the road route. Agitations happen ahead of polls. Even last night, I had asked the officers not to arrest or cane-charge the protesters but convince them somehow. We achieved that last night. Farmers’ agitation went on for a year at the Delhi border. Today if someone held a peaceful protest on the PM's way, it should not be linked to the PM’s security. It is wrong to claim security lapses during his Punjab visit." Read AlsoFarmers claim victory, say stay away till all demands fulfilledFEROZEPUR: Farm organisations on Wednesday claimed a "second major victory in one-and-a-half months" against the Narendra Modi government after the PM's rally in Punjab's Ferozepur was cancelled. Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders said Modi should stay away from the state till all their demands wereThe MHA, in its statement, was categorical that the Punjab government had to make necessary arrangements for logistics, security as well as keep a contingency plan ready. "The Prime Minister’s schedule and travel plans were communicated well in advance to the Punjab government. Also 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," it added. The CM, on the other hand, was clear that there was no disrespect to the PM. "We regret that the Prime Minister had to return due to a hurdle on his way. Afterall, he is the PM and governments work together. We hold him in high regard. It’s a democratic and federal system. It is our responsibility to respect the PM," Channi said and blamed the change in plans for the problem. "There should be no unnecessary politics on this. We have every respect for our PM. The Punjab government and police are capable enough. It happened because suddenly the plan was changed to go by road and not a chopper. It takes some time to remove peaceful agitators who had suddenly sat on the road. The PM or his team decided to cancel the visit even though he could have reached by chopper or taken an alternative route. We regret that and we are pained. The BJP leaders should avoid playing politics," he said. BJP state committee member Amit Taneja gave a first-hand account of the incident to TOI: "The farmers had gathered at the downstream of flyover on Moga-Ferozepur highway on the Ferozepur side end nearly 20 km before Ferozepur. The BJP workers reached there and tried to clear the road for BJP buses coming for the rally. We did not have an iota of knowledge that the Prime Minister too will come through this road." "Nearly 70-80 protesters were blocking the road, we persuaded them but when they did not listen to us. We asked police to intervene but police too did not do anything to clear the highway. In the melee, there were some clashes between protesters and BJP workers in which 3-4 BJP workers sustained injuries. They were sent to hospital and we again tried to clear the highway," Taneja added. BKU Krantikari Kisan Union protesters denied the claims that they injured BJP workers, broke window panes of BJP buses, or headed towards the PM convoy. "Our workers had blocked the road at Piareana village nearly 20 km ahead of Ferozepur. We wanted to register our protest and did not know that Modi got stuck at the flyover some distance from where our activists were holding a protest," said the outfit’s state president Surjit Singh Phool. Despite the cold and rain, the rally at Ferozepur went ahead and some BJP leaders, including MP Hans Raj Hans and Punjab BJP president Ashwani Sharma, and former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh addressed the audience. Sharma attacked the Channi government for not providing any security and not clearing the way for the PM’s convoy and also accused it of putting up hurdles in the way of hundreds of buses heading for the rally and harassing people so that they could not reach the venue. Watch ‘Security lapse’ hits PM Modi’s Ferozepur visit

The Times of India

2022-01-06

India