The serious security lapse during the Prime Minister’s visit to Punjab has set an example of the worst kind of security lapses on the part of a state government and its police.
The incident has put Punjab police under serious scrutiny. A security expert has said that we had never witnessed such casual police behavior in the past.
Despite having intelligence inputs about protesters, Punjab Police did not follow the ‘Blue Book’ and had not prepared a contingency route for the Prime Minister’s visit.
Special Protection Group’s (SPG) Blue Book lays down security guidelines for the protection of the Prime Minister.
Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel remain in close proximity to the PM while the rest of the security measures are taken care of by the state government. In case of any sudden developments, the state police update SPG and the movement of VIP are changed accordingly.
Punjab is a sensitive border state and a visit by the head of the country having such security loopholes is fraught with dangerous eventualities. In 2021, around 150 drone sightings were recorded on the Punjab border from Pakistan and many such sightings remained uncounted. Many of the drones were also loaded with Tiffin bombs, hand grenades, pistols and cash.
A team of MHA is seeking details of deployment, picket, rooftop deployment, barricades and other security measures taken by Punjab Police during the Prime Minister’s visit.
“A report has been demanded from intelligence agencies over the security lapse,” he added.
On November 4, Punjab Police recovered an explosive-filled Tiffin box hidden in an agricultural field near the Indo-Pak border in the Ferozepur district.
The PM Modi was to go to the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala by helicopter from Bhatinda Airport. Due to rain and poor visibility, the Prime Minister waited for about 20 minutes for the weather to clear out.
The statement said that when the weather did not improve, it was decided that he would visit the National Martyrs Memorial via road, which would take more than two hours. The Prime Minister proceeded to travel by road after necessary confirmation of necessary security arrangements by the DGP Punjab Police.
Around 30 km away from the National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala, when the Prime Minister’s convoy reached a flyover, it was found that the road was blocked by some protestors. The Prime Minister was stuck on a flyover for nearly 20 minutes.
“This was a major lapse in the security of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister’s schedule and travel plan was communicated well 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,” the statement said.
Also in view of the contingency plan, the Punjab Government has to deploy additional security to secure any movement by road, which clearly was not deployed.
It said only Punjab police knew the precise route of the PM and “never has such police behavior been witnessed”.
The Punjab government should explain how it happened honestly and to fix responsibility for this lapse and take strict action.
