Central security agencies should have ensured safe passage: Punjab Deputy CM

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 6

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who holds the Home portfolio, on Thursday squarely blamed the central agencies — SPG, NSG and IB — for allowing the PM’s convoy to halt on a flyover near Ferozepur’s Piareana village for 15-20 minutes. “The security agencies should have either ensured a safe passage for the PM’s vehicle or opted for the alternative route, already chalked out in coordination with the PM’s security officials”, he maintained.

Nobody tried to come near the PM. The farmers raised slogans from a distance. — Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Deputy CM

Talking to The Tribune, he pointed out that an alternative route was chalked out, “even though the PM decided to travel to Ferozepur by road at the last minute.” The Home Minister said Justice Mehtab Singh Gill (retd) Commission would submit its report on any “lapses” within three days and action would be taken accordingly. “An interim report on the incident, as sought by the MHA, is in the process of being prepared.”

On the security threat to the PM, Randhawa said: “Nobody tried to come near the PM. The farmers raised slogans from a distance. On the other hand, people carrying the BJP flag were seen in one of the videos.” He stoutly refuted the allegation made by senior BJP leaders that the Punjab CM refused to “come on the phone” to address the matter.

“Both of us were at a video-conference. As the PM’s convoy stopped on the flyover, within minutes I was informed about it by the DGP, who rushed to the site.The Union Home Minister talked to the CM. We did not receive any other call ”, he explained.

Sources said as per the programme chalked out in coordination with PM’s security team, the Chief Secretary and DGP were to receive the PM at Hussainiwala, Ferozepur, while at the Bathinda airport, which was a transit point, Governor Banwari Lal Purohit, CM Charanjit Singh Channi and Finance Minister Manpreet Badal were to be present. However, the CM, having come in contact with some Covid positive employees, could not make it.