The PM's convoy was stuck for 15-20 minutes on the flyover
Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned today without addressing a rally in Punjab after his convoy got stuck in a road blockade near Hussainiwala. The security lapse occurred when the Prime Minister was travelling by road from Bathinda to National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala.
The PM's convoy was stuck for 15-20 minutes on the flyover due to a road blockade by some protestors. The home ministry described the incident as a "major lapse" in his security.
After the serious lapse in security, his convoy decided to return without attending an event at a martyrs' memorial.
The Centre has asked the Punjab government to fix responsibility for the lapse and take strict action.
Happenings in Punjab show 'utter carelessness' of administration: Nirmala Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said it is the responsibility of a state government to ensure safe passage for the Prime Minister and the happenings in Punjab reflect "utter carelessness" of the administration.
Ms Sitharaman, in a series of tweets, said Wednesday's happenings in Punjab are a cause for concern.
"@PMOIndia was to pay respects to shaheed Bhagat Singh and other martyrs. Also he was to launch several developmental programmes. The utter carelessness shown by the administration led by CM @CHARANJITCHANNI and his explanations later do not add up," she tweeted.
Stating that it is the responsibility of a state's administration to ensure safe passage for the Prime Minister's movement, Sitharaman said, "@INCIndia has shown it not only shirks its duties towards the head of Indian government but also cares nothing for his safety." She said Punjab government claims 10,000 security personnel were deployed.
"How come they failed to ensure @PMOIndia's movement? Also CM @CHARANJITCHANNI claimed to isolate himself due to his close aide being COVID +ve,but addressed press in person without a mask? Disgraceful and petty," the minister added.
In a statement, the home ministry said after the "major lapse" in security in the Prime Minister's travel in Punjab, his convoy decided to return.
Could never imagine Congress will ever go this low: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju over PM's security breach
Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday slammed the Congress over the breach in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security in Punjab, terming it a "vicious act" and said he could never imagine the party ruling the state would "ever go this low".
In a tweet, Mr Rijiju said he could never imagine that the "Congress party will ever go this low." For the Congress, only "one family" is important in India, the BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh said, adding "I condemn the Congress Party for this vicious act."
"The Prime Minister of India is a symbol of India's vibrant democracy," he said.
Mr Rijiju also shared a short video in which the prime minister's convoy is purportedly shown returning due to the blockade.
"This video tells the story," he said.
Punjab should take responsibility for PM's security breach: Narendra Singh Tomar
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Wednesday said that the Congress-led Punjab government should take responsibility for the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab. He demanded an apology from the Congress party.
"Punjab Government should take responsibility for the security breach during PM's visit to Punjab. This incident proves that there is no law and order in the state. Congress should apologize to the country," said Mr Tomar.
It's a conspiracy (security breach during PM's visit to Punjab): BJP's Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Complete Collapse Of Law And Order In Punjab: Sukhbir Singh BadalShiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that there is a complete collapse of law and order in Punjab and Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi is incompetent to run the state. His remarks came moments after a security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit during in Punjab.
Taking to Twitter, Mr Badal said, "There is a complete collapse of law and order in Punjab. We have been saying this for long. The CM is incompetent to run the state."
(PTI)
Punjab Government Unfit To Govern, Should Be Dismissed: Karnataka Chief MinisterCondemning the alleged lapse in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security in Punjab, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai today slammed the Punjab government, saying that it is unfit to govern the state and should be dismissed, reported news agency PTI.
"Punjab government has failed to provide security for the Prime Minister at Punjab border. Failure to make arrangements for smooth movement of the Prime Minister has drawn wide condemnation across the country. It is a highly condemnable incident. It is the duty of every government to respect the Prime Minister of the country. I strongly condemn the lapse. Those responsible for the lapses should be punished stringently," Mr Bommai said.
PM's Decision To Travel By Road Not Part Of His Original Schedule: Randeep Surjewala
Hours after a security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab, Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala today slammed BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda and asked him to introspect on the BJP's anti-farmer attitude, reported news agency PTI.
No crowd to listen to PM Modi was the reason why the rally was canceled, Congress alleged.
"Dear Naddaji, Stop losing cool and all sense of propriety. Please remember--1. 10,000 security personnel were deployed for PM's Rally. 2. All arrangements were made in tandem with SPG and other agencies. 3. Route was carved even for all buses of BJP workers from Haryana/Rajasthan. 4. PM decided to take a road journey to Hussainiwala. It was not part of his original schedule to travel by road. 5. Kisan mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) has been protesting against PM's visit and Union Minister, Gajendra Shekhawat has held two rounds of negotiation with them," Mr Surjewala tweeted.
Conspiracy By Congress: Minister Pralhad Joshi
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi today described the "security lapse" in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's travel that led to him remaining stuck on a flyover in Punjab as a "conspiracy hatched by the Congress", reported news agency PTI.
PM Modi was stuck on a flyover for 20 minutes due to a blockade by protesters, prompting the Union Home Ministry to seek an immediate report from the state government and strict action against those responsible.
Prahlad Joshi alleged that it appears to have been part of a pact between Congress and Pakistan to detain the Prime Minister for so long near the Pakistan border.
"It is not an ordinary incident. You all know about the proximity of Punjab Congress leaders, especially Navjot Singh Sidhu, with Pakistani leaders. He embraces them," he said.
"Based on the news and video clippings I saw on TV, I can say it was a conspiracy hatched by the Congress in full knowledge of the state government," Mr Joshi, who is also the BJP's election in-charge, said.
BJP chief hits out at Punjab Chief MinisterBJP chief JP Nadda hit out at Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi in a series of tweets and accused him of refusing to take phone calls.
"It is sad that PM's visit to launch development projects worth thousands of crores for Punjab was disrupted... State Police was instructed to prevent people from attending the rally...CM Channi refused to get on phone to either address the matter or solve it," Mr Nadda tweeted.