PM Modi cancels Ferozepur visit after major security breach in Punjab

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday cancelled his scheduled visit to Punjab's Ferozepur due to a major security breach on route to the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala

The Prime Minister was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes around 30 kms away from the Memorial as the road was blocked by protestors. The earlier plan to travel by helicopter was cancelled due to rain and poor visibility, forcing the two-hour road journey.

PM Modi landed in Bathinda today and was scheduled to visit Ferozepur to lay foundation stones for several development projects and address the people on the occasion.

"The PM was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes. This was a major lapse in the security of PM," said the Home Ministry in a statement.

The MHA claims that the PM's schedule and travel plan was communicated in advance to the 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 the Punjab Government has to deploy additional security to secure any movement by road , which were clearly not deployed," the MHA statement read.

After the security lapse, it was decided that the PM head back to Bathinda Airport.

BJP chief JP Nadda hit out at Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi in a series of tweets and also accused him of refusing to take phone calls.
Officials at Bhatinda Airport tell ANI that PM Modi on his return told them, “Apne CM ko thanks kehna, ki mein Bhatinda airport tak zinda laut paaya.”

The MHA said it is taking cognisance of the security lapse in Punjab and 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," it added.

The incident has turned into a conflict between the Centre and the Congress-ruled Punjab ahead of the state assembly elections.

"It's a matter of shame that PM Modi's cavalcade was stopped by protesters on his way to launch development schemes for welfare of Punjab. This is a serious security lapse and the fact that the Punjab CM didn't address the issue makes matters even worse," said Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala hit back with a string on Tweets, saying "Dear Naddaji, Stop losing cool & all sense of propriety."