Government sources indicated a day after the security breakdown in Punjab that the Punjab police were notified in advance about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s road trip, the security issues involved, and it was only undertaken following clearance from the state police chief.
PM Modi was stopped on a flyover in Punjab’s Bathinda for roughly 20 minutes yesterday on his route to speak at a political event in Ferozepur because protesting farmers had blocked a path ahead. His convoy was stalled, according to visuals from the location, and he was obliged to turn back quickly.
The BJP has accused the Punjab police and administration for the blunder, calling for the state’s home minister, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, and the police head to be fired.
The charges have been disputed by the Congress, and the Punjab government has appointed a three-member committee to look into the matter.
According to officials in the Union administration, the claim that the Punjab Police were unaware of the security threats to PM Modi is a hoax.
“Internal Punjab police documents show repeated discussions by Punjab Police about safeguarding the roads for PM’s visit and travel,” sources said, adding that a “traffic diversion strategy in advance because a dharna may result in road block” was discussed.
According to government sources, Punjab Police internal communications also note the necessity to “keep eye on the movement of farmers and that they should not be allowed to proceed to district Ferozepur to disrupt the march.”
When the helicopter journey from Bathinda proved impossible, the Director of the Prime Minister’s Special Protection Group discussed with the Director General of Police the prospect of making a safe and secure vehicle journey from Bathinda to Ferozepur.
PM Modi was supposed to fly out of Bathinda in a helicopter, but plans were changed due to bad weather, according to the home ministry.
“The road trip was planned after receiving permission from the DGP of Punjab. SPG senior personnel had many contacts with DGP Punjab about the road trip “according to reports
In fact, the parade was led by Bathinda’s Senior Superintendent of Police from Bathinda to the Ferozepur district boundary. According to sources, the SSP Bathinda took control from there.
