Chandigarh: In a major security lapse on January 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stranded on a flyover in Punjab for 15-20 minutes after farm protesters blocked the route of his cavalcade while he was on his way to the National Martyrs Memorial at the Hussainiwala border with Pakistan.
The Prime Minister, the MHA said, “proceeded to travel by road after necessary confirmation of necessary security arrangements” by the Punjab DGP. When the PM’s convoy reached a flyover, around 30 km short of the National Martyrs Memorial, it was found that the road had been blocked by some protesters, the MHA said. “The Prime Minister was stuck on the flyover for 15-20 minutes. This was a major lapse in the security of the Prime Minister.”
Both Center and Punjab state government has now ordered a separate inquiry into the incident. Meanwhile, a war of words erupted between BJP and Congress after the incident. Targeting the Congress and its government in Punjab, Union Minister Irani said: “Why did the administration not respond when it (the security) was breached? Why did the Congress leadership erupt with joy when the Prime Minister had his security breached?” – She was referring to a remark by Congress youth wing leader Srinivas BV who, in a Twitter post, said: “Modi Ji, How’s the Josh?”
