Modi’s cavalcade stuck on flyoveras kisan block NH, MHA seeks report
In a major controversy just before the Assembly elections in Punjab, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stopped in his tracks by the protesting farmers who blocked the national highway during his road trip from Bathinda to Hussainiwala (in Ferozepur) — an act the Centre described as “security breach”, while seeking a detailed report from the Congress-led Punjab Government.
Modi, who was on his first visit to Punjab after revoking the contentious farm laws, was forced to cancel his much-talked-about rally and return to the national Capital in the wake of the “security breach”, just about 10 kilometres away from the Pakistan border.
The Prime Minister’s cavalcade got stuck in a road blockade in Piareana village near Hussainiwala for 15-20 minutes on the flyover, which the Union Ministry of Home Affairs described as a “major lapse” in his security. Following this, the convoy decided to return without attending an event at the National Martyrs’ Memorial, Hussainiwala, besides canceling the rally.
Taking strong note of the “serious security lapse”, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has sought a report from the State Government asking how the PM’s cavalcade was stranded on a flyover for over 15 minutes due to a protest when his programme had been duly communicated to the State police. At the same time, the Ministry has asked the State Government “to fix responsibility” for this lapse and take strict action.
“The PM’s schedule and travel plan was 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. Also in view of the contingency plan, the Punjab Government has to deploy additional security to secure any movement by road, which was clearly not deployed,” said the MHA.
The entire BJP leadership, right from the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to national president JP Nadda, lashed out at the Punjab Government.
“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,” tweeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs has sought a detailed report on today’s security breach in Punjab. Such dereliction of security procedure in the Prime Minister’s visit is totally unacceptable and accountability will be fixed, he added.
Nadda accused the Congress Government of trying “all possible tricks to scuttle” PM’s programmes in Punjab, while Shah went on to seek an “apology” from the Congress’ “topmost echelons” to the people of India for what they have done.
Nadda said that fearing a resounding defeat the Congress Government tried all possible tricks to scuttle the Prime Minister’s programmes in the State. In a series of tweets, Nadda said, “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 claimed that by their cheap antics, the Congress Government in Punjab has shown that they are anti-development and have no respect for freedom fighters too. “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,” Nadda said.
Referring to the “security breach”, Nadda said, “What is extremely worrisome is that this incident was also a big security lapse as far as the PM is concerned. Protesters were given access to the Prime Minister’s route while the Punjab CS and DGP gave assurances to SPG that the route is clear.”
Union Minister Smriti Irani alleged complete break-down of law and order in Punjab and asked who leaked security details of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s travel route to Ferozepur in the State.
“We know that Congress hates PM Modi, such is the breakdown of law and order in Punjab that DGP claims he’s incapable of providing security to PM,” said Irani.
She Iambasted the Congress, asking who in the Punjab Government gave information about the PM’s route to individuals who planted themselves atop the flyover.
Addressing a press conference she said, “The Congress Government in Punjab allowed this… Never before has a State Government knowingly constructed a scenario where the Prime Minister of the country will be brought in harm’s way.”
On the other hand, the Congress party claimed that the Prime Minister decided to cancel the rally because seats at the rally were vacant. Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said all arrangements were made in tandem with SPG and other agencies.
“Dear Naddaji, stop losing cool and all sense of propriety. Please remember -- 10,000 security personnel were deployed for PM’s rally. All arrangements were made in tandem with the SPG and other agencies,” he said on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Krantikari) have claimed responsibility for stalling the Prime Minister’s cavalcade. Union’s general secretary Baldev Zira claimed that the farmers have taught the “arrogant Modi” a lesson. Notably, BKU Krantikari is believed to be an ultra left farmer union. Its president Surjit Phul was booked under different sections of UAPA in 2019, and arrested for allegedly having links with Maoist organisations.