After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab was cut short on Wednesday due to a “major security lapse”, the entire central government and the Bharatiya Janata Party are up in arms against the state’s Congress government. The PM was stuck on the flyover for 15-20 minutes due to the blockade by some protesters and returned without attending any event. Angry BJP leaders said that a government which cannot ensure law and order has no right to continue in power.
But what is the standard operating procedure for PM’s security? let’s take a look:
PM. agency for the protection of
The Special Protection Group (SPG) is responsible for the safety and security of the Prime Minister. After the amendment to the SPG Act, the PM is the sole custodian of the agency. The elite commando force is responsible for providing the closest security to the prime minister. This means that the immediate circle around the PM is of SPG personnel.
Read also | PM Modi’s Punjab rally canceled after security breach due to protest, CM Channi blames ‘change in plan’
ASL or Advanced Security Liaison is also performed by SPG. This means that every minute of the Prime Minister’s itinerary is documented and monitored by officials of the central agency. During the PM’s visit to a state, the local police conducts this minute-to-minute programme, but is monitored by SPG officers. ASL also includes clearing the venue and the route to be taken by the PM. Anti-sabotage checks, searches of people who come close to the PM, all are mandated to be carried out by a special security group.
Does this mean that the entire responsibility rests with the SPG?
No, though the proximate security is the responsibility of the SPG, but the perimeter has to be secured by the state police if the prime minister travels.
This means that the route the PM is going to take has to be finalized by the state police and then shared with the SPG.
It is the responsibility of the state police to keep the roadway safe for the PM’s visit. “The decision on the route is taken by the state police in consultation with the SPG. Typically, a skeletal force is deployed on contingency routes. Sometimes an emergency may arise for the last minute decision to be taken, otherwise the route, deployment etc. are all pre-determined by the state and shared with the SPG,” said a top police official, who did not wish to be named. Told News18 on condition.
Another former DGP said that not only is it mandatory for the state police to devise a contingency route with deployment, but it is part of the SOP that the DGP or a designated officer should travel in the PM’s convoy. “There is a designated vehicle for the DGP to travel in the PM’s convoy. If he is not available, a designated officer should represent him so that in case of any emergency, he can ensure that the PM’s convoy is not disrupted,” the official handling several PM visits to the states told News18.
for air travel
If the Prime Minister is about to take a helicopter ride to reach the venue, at least one alternate road (if not more) is kept ready.
According to former SPG officials who spoke to News18, a contingency route is decided long in advance. “Route linings or deployment on alternate routes are done well in advance. At least 24 hours before the PM’s arrival, a thorough rehearsal is done from the airport/airstrip to the venue,” said a former SPG official.
SPG, local police, local and intelligence bureau officials are all part of this rehearsal. The local civil administration is the fourth agency involved in the preparations before the PM’s visit. The deployment ensures that the responsibility is fixed on the state officials for sanitizing the routes to be taken up by the PM. Alternate routes are often decided by the state and communicated to the SPG and when both the agencies are satisfied the PM’s journey is undertaken. Intelligence officers are involved in alerting in case of any sabotage attempt.
Read also | ‘PM was very arrogant’: Meghalaya Governor on meeting with Modi on farmers’ issue
Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has questioned whether Wednesday’s incident is an intelligence failure. “I am distressed by the fact that there are so many flaws in our @PMOIndia security details, it could be appalling. The chain of command should be clear when he is traveling and whoever is wanted should be dismissed. Clearly -HM, SPG, State Police in this matter,” he tweeted.
Is PM’s security breached for the first time?
In 2006, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s security in Trivandrum was breached after his pilot vehicle took him to a road in the city instead of taking him to the Raj Bhavan.
read all breaking news, today’s fresh news And coronavirus news Here.
,