PM Modi's security breach: MHA sets up panel to enquire into lapses in security

In a key development, sources have told Republic that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's SPG cavalcade was asked to take a U-turn by the Punjab DGP himself, and the SPG followed the instructions of the Punjab Police the entire time during the security breach. Accordingly, it comes to light that the Punjab Police and the DGP were already aware of the security breach PM Modi was driving into.

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The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday constituted a high-level committee to conduct a thorough investigation into the "serious lapses" that occurred during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab on Wednesday. The three-member committee will be led by Sudhir Kumar Saxena, Secretary (Security), Cabinet Secretariat.

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MHA has constituted a high powered committee to look into the breach of PM Modi's security in Ferozepur.

" We condemn the incident that happened yesterday and would like to warn that repetition of such an incident will not be tolerated by BJP workers and the people of India," Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

"It wasn't a security lapse but was preplanned by Congress and its govt in Punjab, as they hate PM Modi. This shows they can go to any extent to stop him. Political rivalry should not result in personal enmity," said MoS MEA V Muraleedharan, on PM Modi's security breach in Punjab

Condemning a security breach during PM Modi's Punjab visit, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said that the Punjab government should have implemented the laid protocols strictly. He also said that those guilty should be given strictest punishment.

Sonia Gandhi speaks to Punjab CM Charanjit Channi over security breach of PM Modi; questions about security lapses during PM's visit to Punjab, as per sources

27 IPS officers have written to Rashtrapati Bhavan on PM Modi's security breach. The Prime Minister's cavalcade was stranded for 15-20 minutes atop a flyover in Bathinda while en route to Ferozepur, leading to a major security breach.  

BKU General Secretary Baldev Zira, another witness of PM Narendra Modi's security breach, speaks to Republic. He confirmed that Punjab Police informed about PM Modi's convoy.

In a provocative video ahead of PM Modi's visit to Punjab, terror group Sikh For Justice made reference to former PM Indira Gandhi's assassination while inciting the people to block PM Modi's rally.

"Farmers sat on protest at Delhi borders for over a year, but yesterday when PM had to wait for around 15 mins he was troubled by it. Why these double standards? Modi Ji, you had said that you'll double farmers' income but you even took away what they had, "Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu said. He also called security breach a "drama". 

The security of PM is governed by an active parliament. There is a very well laid out procedure as to how the PM and his immediate family has to be secured. If there has been a security lapse, it should be investigated by a sitting judge of the High Court: Congress MP Manish Tewari

Congress MP from Punjab, Manish Tewari has condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach and sought accountability. Tewari has also opined that an investigation should be conducted which will be monitored by a High Court judge.

Lauding the farmers for 'blocking PM Modi's cavalcade' in Ferozepur, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannu on Wednesday, termed it a start for 'Khalistan freedom'. Issuing a video message, Pannu, claimed that Sikhs had chased Modi out of Punjab and that the upcoming polls will decide the Khalistan referendum. Pannu has already been charge-sheeted by the NIA for death threats against the Punjab CM, infiltrating the farmers' protest, and disrupting law and order on January 26, 2021. Punjab goes to the polls in February.

"Listen Modi govt, the campaign for Khalistan referendum has begun in Punjab on 5th January, as those bearing the tricolour had to go back to Delhi. People with orange flags chased Modi bare-footed out of Punjab, and Punjab has decided to be free today".

He added, "Indira Gandhi came to Punjab with weapons, she was answered with weapons. You are spreading panic in Punjab, but we answer the same with votes peacefully - by holding Khalistan referendum, by votes. Punjab has decided that along with the assembly elections, the Khalistan referendum will be held. May it be any party - Congress-Channi, Navjot Sidhu, BJP, AAP, whoever stands against saffron, will face the khanda(the Sikh weapon of war)".

In shocking remarks a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's massive security breach, Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu has termed the scenario as a drama. 

"The Prime Minister had come here yesterday. He had to save his dignity. How will he lecture 500 people? I want to ask, PM Sahab, farmers were sitting at Delhi borders for almost a year, but nobody in media said anything. Yesterday, when you were stopped for 15 mins, everyone become frantic. Why this double standards?  Narendra Modiji, you can do how much ever drama you want today, but you were forced to take back these black laws," said Sidhu

In a new development, PM Modi met President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday over the security breach in Punjab, an incident that has created furore across India. After President Kovind expressed concern over the serious lapses in security, the PM gave him a first-hand briefing of the same. Earlier, sources revealed that a Cabinet meeting will be held today where the security breach of the PM might also come up for discussion.  

After a major breach in security of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Punjab, a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court alleging the hand of Punjab Police. The petition filed by the organisation  Lawyers Voice was mentioned by senior Advocate Maninder Singh. "....the lapse in the security of the Prime Minister was occasioned clearly in connivance with the Punjab Police. It was only the Punjab Government that knew the precise route of the Prime Minister which is never shared due to high security reasons," the plea said. 

The plea also states that the said incident was the single largest in the last few years. "It has been reported that this may have been the single biggest lapse in security of any Indian Prime Minister in recent years," the petition read.

President Ramnath Kovind has expressed his concern on the security breach in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Punjab visit. PM Modi is likely to meet the President shortly. 

Former Prime Minister of India Prime Minister of India has expressed his concern over the security breach of PM Modi that occured on Wednesday. Taking to Twitter, Gowda has asserted that at no point should one be complacent when it comes to protecting the highest executive office of India.

After a major security lapse in Congress-ruled Punjab forced Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cancel his trip to Ferozepur on Wednesday, the Bharat Kisan Union (Krantikari) has allegedly admitted its role in blocking PM's route. Moreover, it has hinted that the Punjab Police was in cahoots with the farm union's plan. BKU's Surjeet Singh Phool has now confirmed that PM Modi's route information was 'leaked' to them by the Punjab Police, claimed BJP leader Tarun Chugh on Wednesday, citing reports.

"Whatever the BJP was saying has been proved. BKU leader Surjit Singh Phool has confessed that the PM's path was blocked by the BKU workers and the information was also given to him by the Punjab Police that the PM was coming by road. Now that all the evidence is also in front, will the Channi government break its silence?" Chugh said in a tweet

Amid the major security breach in PM Modi's cavalcade in Punjab, a Supreme Court bench led by CJI Ramana has agreed to hear an urgent plea regarding the matter on Friday. Senior advocate Maninder Singh mentioned a plea regarding the security breach seeking an urgent listing of the issue. The plea has claimed that the security breach was occasioned clearly in connivance with the Punjab Police. Holding Punjab police responsible, it expressed shock at how the officials were seen mingling with the protesting farmers. BKU (Krantikari) chief Surjit Singh Phool revealed that it was his faction which blocked the roads, but added that they did not believe the police when they informed that PM Modi was travelling via road to the rally venue.

 "It was only the Punjab Government that knew the precise route of the Prime Minister which is never shared due to high-security reasons. The overall responsibility for ensuring the safety of the Prime Minster rests with the State Government and the responsibility for providing proximate security will rest with the Special Protection Group (SPG) as per the SPG Act 1988. On the contrary, what was shocking and alarming on many levels was that local Police personnel on the spot were seen to be participating with the hooligans who jeopardised the security of the Prime Minister," read the petition

In a shocking admission, BKU faction leader Surjit Singh Phool revealed his union - Bharat Kisan Union (Krantikari)'s role in blocking PM Modi's cavalcade in Punjab on Wednesday, that led to a major security breach. In a video accessed by Republic TV, Phool thanked farmers for blocking the roads leading to PM Modi's rally in Ferozepur.

"The road jam created in Moga-Ferozepur flyover was done by BKU (Krantikari) supporters. We planned to protest at all district offices and burn effigies on the day Modi's rally was to be held. At Ferozepur, the police stopped us saying that the rally's venue was ahead. Our officials assured that none of us were going to the rally and we will protest from the sides, going towards Ferozepur DC office., but they did not allow us telling us to protest from there."

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi levelled serious allegations on Thursday and claimed that there was an agreement between Congress and Pakistan. Addressing the media, Joshi avered that Congress leaders such as Navjot Singh Sidhu had a soft corner for Pakistan. Dubbing it a well-hatched conspiracy, he called upon the Sonia Gandhi-led party to tender an explanation to the people. 

"From the clippings, I feel this is a conspiracy. This is a conspiracy hatched by the Congress party at the national level with full knowledge and information of the state government. The PM's convoy cannot move an inch without the information of the state police and government."

"The DGP had said that the PM can move. Later, they transported people on the streets. And they stopped PM at the Pakistan border. Navjot Singh Sidhu and many other leaders in Punjab Congress always hug the heads of the Pakistan Army and appreciate Pakistan and ISI. That's why I feel this is not an ordinary incident. This is a well-hatched conspiracy. Perhaps Pakistan also has some role in this. There is an agreement between Congress and Pakistan. There is a big conspiracy in the PM being made to wait for such a long time at the Pakistan border. Congress party should give an explanation to the country," he added.

After facing severe criticism from BJP, the Punjab government constituted a high-level committee to probe the breach in PM Modi's security on Wednesday. As per the official spokesperson of the Charanjit Singh Channi-led government, this committee will comprise of Justice (Retd.) Mehtab Singh Gill and Principal Secretary, Home Affairs and Justice Anurag Verma. The panel shall carry out a thorough investigation into the lapses that occurred during the PM's visit to Ferozepur and submit its report within three days.

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". - PTI

"Today is a darker day than Emergency. I was present at the venue in Punjab today. I saw the enthusiasm of the people of Punjab to get projects worth ₹ 42 thousand crores and when I was announcing that the Prime Minister could not come, I also saw the disappointment of not coming to my beloved Prime Minister. Today Congress has broken all the limits of democracy. The lapse in the security of Prime Minister clearly shows the failure of the Punjab government and his mental bankruptcy. Playing with security by blocking their path due to political differences is highly condemnable," said Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. 

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang condemned the breach in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security in Punjab on Wednesday. 

Amid nationwide outrage over the breach in the security of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Punjab, Republic Media Network on Wednesday learnt that not only did the police give clearance for the visit but also carried out a full rehearsal of the route, as part of SPG security protocol. Thus, the claim of Congress that it was unplanned stands negated, said sources.

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"The kind of carelessness that has been done with the security of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in Punjab today is extremely unfortunate and shameful. Keeping the security of a constitutional post like Prime Minister on hold due to political differences is a reflection of the undemocratic thinking and mentality of the Congress," he said. 

A cabinet meeting will be held tomorrow. According to sources, the lapse in the security of the Prime Minister can also be discussed in the cabinet tomorrow.

A flyover eyewitness has claimed that agitators destroyed buses and attacked BJP workers during PM Modi's security lapse. 

A Delhi-based lawyer has requested an NIA probe into the matter. "The incident is of a very serious nature and it’s an utter shame for the Nation and needs investigation and scrutiny in a comprehensive manner by National Investing Agency," he has said in his request to Director General, NIA.

Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi claims 'all security arrangements had been made', expresses 'regret' that PM had to return back.

"If 10 KM from the Pakistan border you cannot secure the Prime Minister of your country and you cancel the event then it is a damn shame," said Captain Amarinder Singh. 

GOI Sources have told Republic that normally during a PM visit to any state, the CM, Chief Secretary, and DGP are there to receive the PM and accompany him. Today neither of the 3 were there. In fact, cars reserved for Chief Secretary and DGP were part of the PM’s cavalcade. The question remains whether the top officers of the state had an inkling of what was going to happen and hence decided to skip?
 

"What has happened today is just not acceptable. It's against Panjabiyat. A secure passage for the Prime Minister of India to address BJP's political rally in Ferozpur should have been ensured. That’s how democracy works," tweets Punjab Congress leader Sunil Jakhar. 

"We know that Congress hates PM Modi, such is the breakdown of law and order in Punjab that DGP claims he's incapable of providing security to PM," said Union Minister Smriti Irani.

The Punjab Government has suspended Ferozepur SSP Harman Hans following the major lapse of security during PM Modi's visit to the region. 

Taking to Twitter, JP Nadda called out the Congress government in Punjab and shared, "Fearing a resounding defeat at the hands of the electorate, the Congress Government in Punjab tried all possible tricks to scuttle the PM Narendra Modi Ji’s programs in the state."

Government of India sources have reacted to the lapse and called it the 'single biggest lapse in security of any Indian PM in recent years.' A GOI source said, "What was witnessed on the flyover was a surprising scene of connivance between Punjab police and so-called protestors. Only Punjab police knew the precise route of the PM. Never has such police behavior been witnessed. This is the single biggest lapse in security of any Indian PM in recent years."

Sources have revealed that not only did Punjab police give clearance for PM Modi's route, but it also carried out a full rehearsal of the route yesterday as part of SPG security protocol. The protesters had blocked the road with at least 20 tractors, it could not have happened without collusion at local level, sources said. 

In a shocking development, Congress leaders are celebrating a breach that compromised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security in Punjab, prompting him to skip his Ferozepur rally. Following the security breach, Youth Congress national president Srinivas BV on Wednesday took to Twitter and wrote, "How's the Josh."

1. PM's schedule conveyed in advance, arrangements not made 
2. No contingency plan made by Punjab govt 
3. Security arrangements were confirmed by the Punjab DGP, but roads were not cleared
4. No additional security to secure road PM took
5. PM's convoy stuck on the flyover for 15-20 minutes 
6. Trucks meters away from PM's convoy on the flyover 

In a massive controversy ahead of the Punjab polls on Wednesday, PM Modi skipped his Ferozepur rally as his security was compromised after arriving in the state. He was scheduled to lay the foundation stone of projects worth more than Rs.42,750 crore including the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, four-laning of Amritsar-Una section, Mukerian-Talwara New Broad Gauge railway line, PGI Satellite Centre at Ferozepur, and two medical colleges at Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur. On his first visit to Punjab after the repeal of the farm laws, he was set to flag off the campaign for the BJP-Punjab Lok Congress-SAD(Sanyukt) alliance. 

The problem started when the PM decided to travel to the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainwala by road instead of the air route due to poor weather. As per the Ministry of Home Affairs, a major lapse was observed in the PM's security around 30 km from the destination as his convoy was stuck for 15-20 minutes due to a road blockade. In wake of additional security not being deployed by the Punjab government as a part of the contingency plan, the MHA added that PM Modi headed back to the Bathinda Airport. Moreover, it sought a detailed report from the Congress government in Punjab and demanded strict action. 

The MHA statement read, "Today morning 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, which would take more than 2 hours. He proceeded to travel by road after necessary confirmation of necessary security arrangements by the DGP Punjab Police. Around 30 kms away from National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala, when the PM’s convoy reached a flyover, it was found that the road was blocked by some protestors.

The PM was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes. This was a major lapse in the security of PM. The PM’s schedule and travel plan was communicated well in advance to Punjab Government. As per procedure, they have to make necessary arrangements for logistics, security as well as keep a contingency plan ready. Also in view of the contingency plan Punjab Government has to deploy additional security to secure any movement by road, which were clearly not deployed. After this security lapse, it was decided to head back to Bathinda airport. The Ministry of Home Affairs taking cognisance of this serious security lapse has sought a detailed report from the state government. State Government has also been asked to fix responsibility for this lapse and take strict action."