Amritsar8 hours ago
The Center has sought an action taken report from the state government in connection with the lapse in the security of PM Narendra Modi in Punjab last year. The Center has asked the Punjab government what action it has taken on the report of the inquiry conducted by the Supreme Court on this issue.
The Supreme Court had formed a 5-member committee under the leadership of retired Justice Indu Malhotra to investigate the lapses in PM’s security during his visit to Ferozepur on January 5, 2022. The committee submitted its report to the Supreme Court on 25 August 2022. During the hearing of the report, the then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Justice NV Ramana’s bench found the Punjab Police responsible for the security lapse.
According to the report of the inquiry committee, Ferozepur SSP Harmandeep Hans was told about the route through which the PM was going to pass two hours ago. Despite this, the Punjab Police could not fix the security arrangements. The negligence of the then Punjab Chief Secretary Anirudh Tiwari and the then DGP Siddharth Chattopadhyay was revealed in the report.
Center asked- what action was taken against the negligent officers
Now the Center has asked the Punjab government what action it took on this investigation report in 6 months? Whether action was taken against the officers who were held responsible for the security lapse in the report or not? What if no action was taken? And if not taken then why?
The Union Home Ministry also expressed displeasure over the delay in action. The Union Home Secretary has asked Punjab Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua to submit an action taken report on this within a week.
in the report said- officers did not go according to the blue book
The Supreme Court committee during its investigation had found lapses in the police and administrative officers of Punjab. While filing the report in the Supreme Court, the committee had said that despite being informed about the PM’s visit, the police and administrative officials were negligent and did not follow the protocol according to the Blue Book. The committee held the then SSP of Ferozepur Harmandeep Hans especially responsible in this matter.
This officer was on duty
The then Punjab DGP Siddharth Chattopadhyay did not reach the spot despite protocol during the Prime Minister’s visit. Punjab’s then ADGP (Law and Order) Naresh Arora, ADGP (Cyber Crime) G Nageshwar Rao, DIG Faridcourt Surjit Singh, Moga SSP Charanjit Singh, IG (Counter Intelligence) Rakesh Agarwal, Ferozepur range DIG Inderbir Singh and Ferozepur SSP Harmandeep Hans was on duty.
Irresponsible action of Punjab government
After the lapse in the PM’s security, the then Charanjit Singh Channi-led Congress government of Punjab took action in an irresponsible manner. The Punjab Police registered a case regarding this at the Kulgarhi police station in Ferozepur, in which Section 283 of the IPC was imposed. The punishment in this section is only a fine of 200 rupees and its bail is also done in the police station itself. The accused need not go to the court.
The Punjab Police did not even write anyone’s name in this FIR. The surprising thing is that nowhere in the FIR has there been any mention of stopping Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convoy. The SPG Act meant for the protection of the PM was also not invoked in this.
Modi was stuck on the highway for 20 minutes
Before the Punjab assembly elections held in February 2022, PM Narendra Modi visited Punjab on January 5, 2022. Due to bad weather, the Prime Minister’s convoy was sent from Bathinda to Firozpur by road. When he was going to Hussainiwala from Bathinda airport, his convoy was stuck for 20 minutes on a flyover at Pyareana village in Ferozepur as the highway was blocked by farmers some distance away.
According to the Blue Book of the Union Home Ministry and the Special Protection Group (SPG), which is deployed in the security of the Prime Minister, the Punjab government was informed about the PM’s program and visit in advance. In such a situation, according to the rules, the state police should have kept the alternative route ready along with security.
Looking at the emergency plan, the Punjab government had to deploy additional security on the road, but it did not happen. After this security lapse, the PM’s convoy decided to return to Bathinda airport. On his way to Delhi from Bathinda airport, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had told the officers of Punjab present there that he was able to return alive after saying thanks to the CM.
The Supreme Court had formed the inquiry committee
The Supreme Court itself got the investigation done for this lapse in the PM’s security. The Supreme Court had asked the committee headed by retired Justice Indu Malhotra to conduct a detailed investigation of the entire matter and submit its report. The committee was also asked to give such suggestions so that such cases can be avoided in future.
During the hearing on the report, the then Chief Justice NV Ramana had said that in this report some necessary measures have also been suggested for the concrete security of the Prime Minister, which will be sent to the government.
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