The Akhil Bhartiya Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad (ABPSSP) which is an organisation started by ex-service members of the military have written a letter to President Shri Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday (January 11) and expressed concern over life-threatening security lapses during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Punjab on January 5.
ABPSSP requested the President to take action as “deemed suitable to see such unacceptable security lapse doesn’t recur and a strong message goes to all those responsible including our neighbours.”
The incident happened close to the border with Pakistan. The ABPSSP said, “The security of the Prime Minister was thus compromised, which could have resulted in very serious consequences for the country, especially as the incident took place in close proximity to India’s border with Pakistan. Multiple lapses were found in the security arrangements of the prime minister. Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi made light of the threat, saying were any stones thrown at the PM? Were any bullets fired at him?”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on an official visit to Punjab on January 5, when his cavalcade had to stop over a bridge for over 20 minutes in Ferozepur close to the Pakistan border.
This happened after some ‘protestors’ had blocked the road and the PM was safely rescued to Bhatinda airport, from where he flew back to Delhi.
Taking cognisance of the security lapse, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had issued a press statement. It said, “The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) taking cognisance of this serious security lapse 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 had added, “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. 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.”
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