PM Modi’s Punjab Security Breach: Panel Issues Followed By Ferozepur SSP

The Supreme Court noted that the then-district senior superintendent (SSP), Harmandeep Singh Hans, “failed to discharge (his) duty and augment route though sufficient time and forces were available” in a report into security lapses during prime minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Ferozepur, Punjab, in January.

The top court also announced that the central and Punjab governments would receive the report written by the Justice Indu Malhotra committee.

The dispute was then deemed resolved by the bench presided over by Chief Justice NV Ramana.

When the prime minister returned to Punjab on Wednesday to officially open the 300-bed Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, chief minister Bhagwant Mann described the incident in Ferozepur as “unfortunate.” The leader of the Aam Aadmi Party also disparaged the Congress (then in power).

“I regret to inform you that your programme had to be terminated when you arrived here on January 5. However, Punjab is glad to have you today. As the leader of the nation, it is our duty to provide a warm welcome to you. Known for their hospitality, Punjabis “Mann stated in his speech.

Months before the Punjab assembly election, the prime minister was due at Ferozepur on January 5 to lay the cornerstones for a number of development projects totaling more than 42,750 rupees.

According to the home ministry, on the day Modi arrived in Bathinda, Punjab, he had a helicopter ride planned to the National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala. But because of the weather and visibility, the prime minister took the road.

After ascertaining that Punjab Police had made the necessary security arrangements, the high-security convoy left.

But because protesters had stopped the road, the convoy became stalled on a flyover roughly 30 miles before the memorial.

Modi spent 15 to 20 minutes stranded on the flyover.

He then had to have his address annulled and returned to Bathinda airport.

The incident sparked a major conflict between the BJP and the Congress, with both sides playing the victim.