Report on PM security lapse in 3 days

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cavalcade stuck on a flyover, in Ferozepur, on Wednesday. Pic/PTI

The Punjab government on Thursday constituted a two-member high level committee to conduct a "thorough probe" into lapses during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ferozepur, an official spokesperson said. The committee, which will submit its report within three days, comprises Justice (Retd.) Mehtab Singh Gill and Principal Secretary, Home Affairs and Justice, Anurag Verma.

"In order to carry out a thorough probe into the lapses that occurred during the Prime Minister's visit to Ferozepur yesterday, the Punjab Government has constituted a high level committee," the spokesperson said. In a major security lapse, the prime minister's convoy was stranded on a flyover due to a blockade by protesters in Ferozepur on Wednesday. He returned from poll-bound Punjab without attending any event, including a rally.

The Union Home Ministry has directed the state government to file an immediate report, saying it did not ensure the required deployment. Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has denied any security lapse or political motive behind it.

Holding the Congress government in Punjab responsible for the breach, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the party cannot be forgiven for the serious lapse. "The Congress is in power in Punjab. Could we have imagined a security breach in the prime minister's convoy like the one that happened there yesterday (on Wednesday)?" he asked. Singh said a prime minister represents the country and his office is an institution which everyone should respect.

We thought senior cop was bluffing: farmer leader

Meanwhile, the chief of the farmer outfit that blocked the PM's route in Ferozepur, said his group was told by the district police chief that the PM would be travelling by this road, but "we thought it was a bluff to get the road vacated".

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