PM security breach: BJP slams Punjab govt, says CM and DGP were missing, it's clear indication of conspiracy

Earlier in the day, the top court read a report filed by the five-member Committee headed by a retired top court judge, Justice Indu Malhotra, as per which Ferozepur SSP failed to discharge his duty to maintain law and order.
Anurag Thakur

Union Minister Anurag Thakur

New Delhi: Hours after the Supreme Court-appointed panel made adverse remarks against Forezepur SSP in PM Modi's security breach case, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slammed the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and asked why he and the state DGP were missing. Addressing a press conference, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said the SC (Supreme Court) panel has commented that the Ferozpur SSP failed to discharge his duty and maintain law and order. The police had ample time to provide an alternate route to the PM's convoy.
"When PM was on Punjab's visit, the CM of Punjab and DGP were missing. This is a clear indication of a conspiracy," he said.
Thakur said the agitators were merely 100 metres away from the bridge on which PM Modi's vehicle halted and the Pakistan border is just 10 km away. Anything could have happened. The CM was not available even on call. The PM stood there for 20 minutes but even 2 mins were enough for anything to happen," the minister said.
"This gives rise to questions - Who gave the protestors knowledge of the PM's route? Who was SSP speaking with repeatedly on call? Who was he taking instructions from?" Thakur asked.
Earlier in the day, the top court read a report filed by the five-member Committee headed by a retired top court judge, Justice Indu Malhotra, as per which Ferozepur SSP failed to discharge his duty to maintain law and order. The Ferozepur SSP failed to do this even though the sufficient force was available and even though he was informed two hours before that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will enter that route.
PM Modi's security breach on January 5
On January 5, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed that there was a major lapse in the security of the Prime Minister. In a detailed note, the ministry said PM Modi landed at Bathinda from where he was to go to the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala by helicopter. Due to rain and poor visibility, the PM headed for the National Martyrs Memorial via road, which would take more than two hours. The MHA said the PM proceeded to travel by road after necessary confirmation of necessary security arrangements by the DGP Punjab Police.
"Around 30 kms away from the National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala, when the Prime Minister’s convoy reached a flyover, it was found that the road was blocked by some protestors. The Prime Minister was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes. This was a major lapse in the security of the Prime Minister," the MHA said.
The MHA further said the Prime Minister’s schedule and the travel plan were communicated well in advance to the Punjab government. As per procedure, they have to make necessary arrangements for logistics and 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.
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