New Delhi: Punjab government has formed a high-level committee to investigate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security lapse during his Ferozepur visit yesterday. According to ABP News sources, the committee will submit the report in three days to the state government.
An official spokesperson said that the Committee would comprise Justice (Retd.) Mehtab Singh Gill, Principal Secretary, Home Affairs and Justice Anurag Verma.
Modi’s Punjab visit was cut short on Wednesday after a “major security lapse” as he was stranded 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.
According to a Home Ministry statement, after the serious lapse in security, Modi’s convoy decided to return without attending an event at a martyrs’ memorial at Hussainiwala. The prime minister also could not attend a rally in Ferozepur.
Punjab CM Channi denies ‘security lapse’
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, however, denied there was any security lapse or political motive behind it and said his government was ready for an inquiry.
Channi expressed regret on Wednesday evening after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to cut short his visit to the state, but asserted that there was no security lapse.
The cm shared a minute-to-minute programme of Modi’s visit, saying three helipads were set up at Ferozepur as he was to reach from Bathinda by air.
There was a sudden change in the PM’s travel plan from Bathinda to Ferozepur and everything was handled by central agencies, he told reporters.
“It is wrong to say that there was a security lapse,” the CM said, stressing that the Punjab Police had a limited role.
“The prime minister was to visit for the inauguration (of development projects) and address a political rally. We regret that he had to return due to the blockade en route,” Channi told reporters.
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