Channi: Regret PM had to go back from Punjab, but no lapse
CM promises probe, asserts that blockade didn’t pose any danger
Chandigarh, Jan. 5: Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday expressed regret after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to cut short his visit to the state, but asserted that there was no security lapse.
Mr Modi, who landed in Bathinda and had to take the road route to Hussainiwala in Ferozepur because of inclement weather, was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes due to a blockade by some protesters, an incident the Union home ministry described as a "major lapse" in his security.
The CM said the entire incident will be probed and denied any security lapse or situation of any attack.
There was a sudden change in the PM’s travel plan from Bathinda to Ferozepur and everything was handled by central agencies, he told reporters.
"It is wrong to say that there was a security lapse," the CM said, stressing that the Punjab Police had limited role. "The Prime Minister was to visit for the inauguration (of development projects) and address a political rally. We regret that he had to return due to the blockade en route," Mr Channi told reporters.
"After all, he is the Prime Minister of the country. We respect him. There is a democratic system and federal system," said Mr Channi.
"We regret that he had to go back and we are pained. We respect our prime minister," the CM said.
The CM said after some agitators had come on the road, they were told to take another route or try to fly by chopper. But they decided to return, said Channi.
The Punjab CM said some agitators who had gathered on the road previous night were removed.
But if someone suddenly came during the day, it does not mean this posed any danger, asserted Mr Channi, saying farmers had also been protesting for over a year at Delhi's borders but they did not harm anyone.