January 7, 2022
The PM's convoy was stranded for 15 to 20 minutes on a flyover 30 km before the border village of Hussainiwala.
In the case of alleged shortcomings in security arrangements during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Punjab, the Supreme Court of India has directed to hand over the record of security arrangements to the Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Modi was on his way to address a rally in Ferozepur district of Punjab on Wednesday when some protesters blocked the road. The PM's convoy was stranded for 15 to 20 minutes on a flyover 30 km before the border village of Hussainiwala.
Explain that both the Central Government and the Punjab Government had issued orders to investigate the matter. But on Friday, a bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hema Kohli asked the Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court to preserve the record of Modi's visit.
The Supreme Court also directed the Punjab Police and Central Agencies to hand over the record of security arrangements during the Prime Minister's visit to Punjab to the Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court.
In this case, the court directed the Punjab Police, SPG (Special Security Forces for key leaders) and other agencies to provide all necessary assistance.
The apex court has given these directions in the hearing of a petition filed regarding alleged negligence in the security of the Prime Minister. The petition calls for a judicial inquiry into the alleged shortcomings in the security of the Prime Minister.
Solicitor General of India Tishar Mehta in his petition to the court has also included the alleged negligence in the security of Prime Minister Modi from the angle of cross-border terrorism.
Punjab Advocate General DS Patwalia told the court that the state government wanted a fair investigation into the whole matter and was not taking it lightly.
Patwalia said that there were shortcomings in the whole matter and the state government was serious about the issue. Patwalia said that an FIR has been registered in this regard. He said that the Supreme Court could appoint anyone for investigation and the Punjab government had no objection to it.
What happened during the visit of the Prime Minister of India to Punjab?
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was trapped on a flyover in Punjab for about 15 to 20 minutes and the incident is being termed as a "serious security lapse" in India. Narendra Modi was also scheduled to address a rally in Ferozepur city before the state elections but the Home Ministry said that Modi's convoy returned to the airport due to the lack of security.
According to the schedule, Narendra Modi was scheduled to visit a monument in the northern state but farmers were protesting on the same route and traffic was closed for traffic. The protesters were demanding the resignation of a cabinet minister whose son is accused of killing farmers.
It may be recalled that a car belonging to the said Minister Ajay Mishra had suddenly crashed into a farmers' protest in Uttar Pradesh, killing four people. Farmers allege that the minister's son Ashish Mishra was behind the attack. However, he has denied the allegations.The Indian Prime Minister arrived at Bhatinda Airport on Wednesday morning and was scheduled to visit the National Martyrs' Memorial and then board a helicopter to address the gathering.
But the tour was delayed due to bad weather. When his vision did not improve, his caravan set off on the road. It was blocked by protesters about 30 km from the monument.
The Indian Home Ministry has said that it has sought a detailed report from the Punjab government on "major security shortcomings". It said the procedure required them to make necessary arrangements, including security and emergency planning.
What does Congress say about this incident?
After this incident, political parties in India were seen blaming each other. The central ruling BJP has blamed the Congress party government in the state.
While a Congress spokesperson said that the seats at Modi's rally were vacant, he preferred to return by road under the pretext of security.
Former IPS officer Yeshu Vardhan Azad believes that the Prime Minister's convoy staying in the border area for about 15 minutes is a major security breach. If the Prime Minister's convoy stands like a prisoner on a bridge for 15-20 minutes, then it is a serious matter from the point of view of security.
Wherever the prime minister goes, the SPG (Special Protection Group) is responsible, but the overall responsibility for security lies with the state government," Azad said. There is a lot of risk. So it is a big mistake for them to stay in the bullet proof car in such a situation.
A former senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said police were responsible for maintaining law and order in a state. But when it comes to the Prime Minister, the SPG is also deployed in his security.
According to him, SPG teams go in advance to ensure security during any visit of the Prime Minister. Meetings with local intelligence officials. Where the arrangements should be, what the route should be, they decide everything. Police on the outside and SPG on the inside provide security.
He said that the state government is informed before the visit of the Prime Minister and all preparations are made from the point of view of security of the Prime Minister.
He called it a "mistake" and said he would wait for the investigation report to arrive.
Azad says that the distance from Bathinda to Ferozepur is about 110 km. After arriving at Bhatinda Airport, the Prime Minister had to proceed but the weather was bad. We stopped there and waited for the weather to improve. But then it was decided to go by road. In such a situation, emergency preparations are being made by the state government, however, alternative routes are being prepared for the visit of the Prime Minister.
Once the Prime Minister's route has been cleared to go off the road, it will be clear that the police have said they will clear the route," he said. When the Prime Minister's convoy leaves, the state police will move forward.
Azad also believes that police cannot be deployed everywhere on the entire 110 km long route, but there are full arrangements for the security of the Prime Minister.
"Some people blocked his way," he says. In other words, the information about which road the Prime Minister's convoy was going through was leaked. In the age of mobile phones and on the 110 km long route this is not a mistake. This information could be general. But people gathered there, it was a mistake. They were farmers and they had blocked the road. The police advance unit left the prime minister's car behind and they proceeded to negotiate.
Azad says that whatever happened during that time, the method adopted by the police was very dangerous in terms of the security of the Prime Minister.
You can talk to the protesters on normal days, but not in the way of the Prime Minister's convoy," he said. The police should have cleared the way immediately. Even if it is by force.
The reason behind the non-use of force by the police is that the same action is being taken by the opposition nowadays.
What is the security protocol of the Prime Minister of India?
Azad says that extensive preparations are being made before any visit of the Prime Minister of India.
According to him, if the Prime Minister goes to an election rally, various preparations are made. If they go to a program or a rally, their preparation is different but every step is taken in their preparation.
Nirmal Pathak, editor of PTI Bhasha and a journalist who has been covering the PMO for a long time, says that such a shortcoming in the security of the Prime Minister is a big thing.
He said that the SPG team goes to this place before the Prime Minister and does Reiki here. The SPG contingent is deployed here. The Intelligence Bureau (IB) in India is also in constant touch with him.
SPG, the body providing security to the Prime Minister of India
The Special Security Group, or Special Protection Team, was set up in 1985 to provide security to the Prime Minister, former Prime Minister and his entourage in India.
It was fully formed in 1988, a few years after the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984.
SPG has an annual budget of over Rs 375 crore and is considered to be the most expensive and robust security system in the country.
