Aditi Tandon amp;
Mukesh Ranjan
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 6
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today constituted a three-member committee headed by Sudhir Kumar Saxena, Secretary (Security), Cabinet Secretariat, to look into “serious lapses” during PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab on Wednesday, exposing the VVIP to a grave risk. The other members on the panel are Balbir Singh, Joint Director, IB, and S Suresh, IG, Special Protection Group (SPG).
Unfortunate, says ex-PM Deve Gowda
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda expressed concern over the ‘security breach’ saying the incident was unfortunate and unacceptable in democracy.
3-judge SC Bench to hear matter today
The committee has been asked to submit its report at the earliest, a spokesperson said. The PM’s cavalcade was stranded on a flyover near Ferozepur due to a blockade by farmers.
Expect tough decision
After gathering info, whatever steps… big and tough decisions will be taken. — Anurag Thakur, Union Minister
The panel was announced hours after the Union Cabinet expressed “grave concern over the lapses” with most ministers seeking exemplary action in the matter. The Cabinet meeting took place after the PM met President Ram Nath Kovind to brief him on the matter. “Thankful to him (the President) for his concern,” the PM tweeted, even as the BJP demanded President’s rule in Punjab. A three-judge Bench led by CJI NV Ramana will hear the matter tomorrow.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said, “Big and hard decisions that need to be taken will be taken. Everyone in the country has expressed concern over the massive lapse. Some have gone to the Supreme Court.” Thakur said the Home Ministry had sought action and accountability in the matter and was awaiting report from the Punjab Government.
Official sources maintained that the PM’s cavalcade proceeded to Hussainiwala by road only after clearance from the Punjab DGP.
The Home Ministry had yesterday asked the Punjab Government to fix responsibility for the “lapses” even though the Congress continued to deny there was a breach and termed the controversy political. The matter is all set to gain massive momentum ahead of the elections in Punjab, UP, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur with the BJP geared up to project the Congress as “Modi hater which tried to bring him harm”. The Congress rejected the charge of security breach terming it “a fake narrative and an insult to Punjabis”.
Party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged, “The BJP is enacting a political drama because of thin attendance at the PM’s rally. When his convoy was stuck in traffic in Gautam Budh Nagar in December 2017, and in Delhi in September 2018, there was no security breach. But when the PM changed his route at the last minute in Punjab and there was a lag of 15 minutes in clearing the road, it endangered his life. Did anyone attack his convoy?”
Three-member panel to probe ‘serious lapses’ during PM’s Punjab visit: MHA
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