Punjab Chief Minister dismisses allegations of PM’s security lapses

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has dismissed all the allegations levelled by the Ministry of Home that the state government didn’t make necessary arrangements to avoid lapses in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security.

Addressing a press conference after the Home Ministry’s statement and other leaders accusation of being lackadaisical in ensuring a smooth journey to the Prime Minister’s convoy, which caused a huge security concern, Channi said that the Prime Minister's convoy was stopped way before the spot where protesters were sitting.

“It takes at least 10 to 20 minutes to remove protestors from the protest site. We informed the Prime Minister about it and offered him an alternate route to reach Bathinda but he decided to return to the airport.

The Punjab CM has also rejected the demand of the Ministry of Home to fix the responsibilities of these lapses and take strict action against those who were responsible for the lapse.

“We will not suspend any officer for this incident as there is a lapse of any kind,” Channi said.

Chief Minister also clarified the reason for not visiting the airport and receiving the Prime Minister as he said, "I had to receive the Prime Minister at Bathinda today but those who had to accompany me tested Covid positive. So, I did not go to receive him today as I was in close contact with these people who tested positive."

The controversy erupted when the Prime Minister’s convoy had to wait on a flyover on the way to Bathinda as protestors had blocked the road.