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Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s scheduled rally in Punjab’s Ferozepur has been cancelled due to breach in security. Taking cognisance of this serious security lapse, the Union Home Ministry has sought a detailed report from the Punjab Congress government. The Ministry has also asked the state government to fix responsibility for this lapse and take strict action. It said, this morning, the Prime Minister landed at Bathinda from where he was to go to the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala by helicopter.
But due to rain and poor visibility, he 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 security arrangements by the DGP Punjab Police. The Ministry said around 30 kms away from Memorial, when Mr. Modi 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 to 20 minutes which was a major lapse in the security.
The Home Ministry said, Mr. Modi’s schedule and travel plan was communicated well in advance to the Punjab Government and as per procedure, it has 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. The Ministry said, after this security lapse, it was decided to head back to Bathinda airport.