PM Modi Briefs President Kovind About His Security Breach Incident In Punjab

After the Wednesday incident that took place during prime minister Narendra Modi visit to Punjab’s Ferozepur, the prime minister was called upon by the president of India, Ram Nath Kovind, to discuss the security breach issue. On Thursday, the president took a first-hand account of the incident from PM Modi and expressed concerns about the serious security lapse. 

Called on Rashtrapati Ji. Thankful to him for his concern. Grateful for his good wishes, which are always a source of strength. @rashtrapatibhvn pic.twitter.com/g6Unl8WCJJ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 6, 2022

Taking to Twitter, the official handle of President of India wrote: “President Ram Nath Kovind met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today and received from him a first-hand account of the security breach in his convoy in Punjab yesterday. The president expressed his concerns about the serious lapse.” 

President Ram Nath Kovind met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today and received from him a first-hand account of the security breach in his convoy in Punjab yesterday. The President expressed his concerns about the serious lapse. pic.twitter.com/lzvAuriuGb

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 6, 2022

Earlier, President Ram Nath Kovind also expressed concerns over prime minister’s security detail during his visit to the poll-bound state of Punjab. Along with President Kovind, vice president of India M Venkaiah Naidu also spoke to PM Modi and expressed deep concerns over the serious security breach. Vice president Naidu also said that he hopes that stringent steps will be taken to adhere to established security protocol scrupulously. 

He expressed his deep concern at the security breach and hoped that stringent steps will be taken to scrupulously adhere to established security protocol and ensure such a situation doesn’t recur in future.

— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) January 6, 2022

After the Wednesday incident, the Punjab government has formed a high-level committee to probe into the security breach matter during prime minister Modi’s Ferozepur visit. The committee comprises of Justice (retd) Mehtab Singh Gill, Principal Secretary, Home Affairs and Justice Anurag Verma as per an official spokesperson. The committee is likely to submit its report in three days. 

To carry out thorough probe into the lapses that occurred during PM @narendramodi's visit to Ferozepur yesterday, the Punjab Government has constituted a high level committee comprising Justice (Retd.) Mehtab Singh Gill & Principal Secretary, Home Affairs & Justice Anurag Verma.

— Government of Punjab (@PunjabGovtIndia) January 6, 2022

Meanwhile, during PM Modi’s visit to Punjab’s Ferozepur, the PM’s convoy was stranded for 20 minutes on a flyover due to a blockade by some protestors. After the major security breach, the union home ministry has asked for an immediate report from the state government and have asked them to fix responsibility for this lapse. 

Though the home ministry said that prime minister’s travel plan and schedule were communicated well in advance to the state government, the chief minister of Punjab Charanjit Singh Channi has denied any kind of security lapse or political motive behind the incident.

CM Channi shared a minute-to-minute programme of PM’s visit and said that three helipads were already set up at Ferozepur as PM was supposed to reach from Bhatinda by air. However, there was a sudden change in prime minister’s travel plan from Bathinda to Ferozepur, and everything was being handled by the central agencies. The chief minister also added that his government was ready for an inquiry. 

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India will be hearing a plea seeking a probe against CM Charanjit Singh Channi-led Punjab government over the major security breach of prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday. 

Security breach during Prime Minister’s visit to Punjab

Press release-https://t.co/UMlF9dTsTk pic.twitter.com/vjUu394ahI

— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) January 5, 2022