In a massive security breach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday was forced to cancel his visit to Ferozepur in Punjab after his convoy was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes after being blocked by some protesters.
The visibly furious PM reportedly expressed his anger after returning to Bhatinda airport on his way back to Delhi.
Sources have told ANI that after PM Modi reached the Bhatinda Airport post the shocking disruption of his movement in Punjab’s Ferozepur, he told the airport officials in a sarcastic response– “Apne CM ko thanks kehna, ki mein Bhatinda airport tak zinda laut paaya” (thank your CM, I returned back to the Bhatinda Airport alive).
Reports suggest that the procession was blocked by protestors around 30 km away from National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala.
Government sources have told Republic that it was only the Punjab police who knew the precise route of PM Modi’s convoy. Given that ‘protestors’ landed up at the highway, the incident appears to be ‘connivance’ between the police and those responsible for blocking his convoy, sources have alleged, calling the incident ‘the single biggest lapse of security of any Indian Prime Minister in recent years.’
It is alleged that the Punjab government failed to deploy additional security to secure any movement by road.
The Ministry of Home Affairs alleged a “major lapse in the security of PM Narendra Modi” who was in Punjab to attend some events.
“He proceeded to travel by road after necessary confirmation of security arrangements were made by the DGP Punjab Police,” the MHA said.
PM Modi was slated to go to the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala by helicopter. But due to rain and poor visibility, it was decided that he would travel by road, which would take more than 2 hours.
BJP National President JP Nadda also slammed the Punjab government and said “CM Charanjit Channi refused to get on the phone to either address the matter or solve it.”
