PM Modi's Ferozpur rally cancelled, MHA calls security lapse, orders probe report from Punjab Government
New Delhi, January 5
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi's event at Ferozepur was cancelled amid the bad weather and an alleged security lapse. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) indicated security lapse as the reason behind the cancellation.
The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that a security lapse had hampered PM Modi's plans.
The MHA has taken cognisance of this serious security lapse has sought a detailed report from the state government. The state government has also been asked to fix responsibility for this lapse and take strict action.
The officials stated that on PM landed at Bathinda from where he was to go to National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala by helicopter. Due to rain and poor visibility, PM waited for about 20 minutes for the weather to clear out. When the weather didn’t improve, it was decided that he would visit the National Marytrs Memorial via road.
He proceeded to travel by road after necessary confirmation of necessary security arrangements by the DGP Punjab Police.
Thrree approach roads leading to the rally venue in Ferozepur were blocked for more than 12 hours by members of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangrash Committee (KMSC). The farmers were protesting against PM Modi's visit to Punjab.
After his journey was hindered, the PM returned to Bathinda Airport.
An officer from MHA stated that the incident comes in the preview of the security lapse as protestors were given access to the PM’s route. When the PM is holding a rally or event or passing through the roads to the venue, the entire area remains cordoned off with no vehicular or any movement except the security services assigned comprising of the Special Protection Group (SPG) for PM's security, State police and other forces as deployed for the security set up. However, here the farmers had full access to the route.
The officials added that when the security checks were made and the MHA was given assurance that the PM's route was clear and secured.
Condemning the alleged obstruction of PM Modi's route in Punjab, BJP President JP Nadda tweeted, "The state police was instructed to prevent people from attending the rally. Large number of buses were stranded because of the high-handedness of the police & connivance with protestors."
"To make matters worse, CM Channi refused to get on the phone to either address the matter or solve it. The tactics used by the Congress government in Punjab would pain any one who believes in democratic principles."
PM Modi had reached Punjab to lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 42,750 crore, and address a rally in Ferozepur.
The prime minister was slated to lay the foundation stone for the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, the four laning of Amritsar-Una section, Mukerian-Talwara New Broad Gauge railway line, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Satellite Centre at Ferozepur, and two medical colleges in Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur.
Ahead of PM Modi's first visit to Punjab since he announced the scrapping of the contentious farm laws, #GoBackModi is trending on Twitter.
Few weeks ago, PM held a rally at Kanpur after Kanpur Metro inauguration and IIT Kanpur convocation ceremony, where Samajwadi Party members had allegedly incited riots and resorted to violence on the route where the PM was held the rally.
