Firozpur SSP knew for 2 hours, yet PM’s convoy stuck on flyover, Supreme Court committee report

On January 5 this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was going to rally in Ferozepur, Punjab, but his convoy got stuck on a flyover. When the pictures came out, people understood how big a lapse it was in the security of the PM. The Center summoned the report, the Punjab government kept saying its point but the matter reached the Supreme Court. Now the committee constituted by the SC has told that the SSP of Ferozepur could not make arrangements properly even after having adequate security forces. Actually, there is a protocol regarding the security of the PM or say his visit, which is followed. There is a ‘Blue Book’ in which guidelines related to safety are given. It contains details of the rules regarding the security of VVIPs. This ‘Blue Book’ lays out a clear and detailed process of what the state officials have to do to ensure the Prime Minister’s complete security. But on that day all the rules and regulations on that flyover of Punjab were put on hold.

PM stuck for 20 minutes, SPG took position
The protesters had blocked the way ahead, so after waiting for some time, the PM returned to Delhi without attending any program. That day the PM’s convoy was stuck on the flyover for about 20 minutes. To handle the situation, the SPG commandos engaged in the security of the PM had taken the position for the entire time. The matter made headlines across the country. It has never been seen before in recent decades when the PM’s convoy has been trapped and his security has been threatened. The committee in the Supreme Court has suggested that there should be a monitoring committee to periodically review and update the sensitivity, security curriculum and ‘Blue Book’ for police officers engaged in the security of the Prime Minister.

PM will come by this route, was informed for 2 hours
This committee consisted of five people. He also told the Supreme Court that the SSP had enough time. The then Additional Director General (ADGP) of Punjab G. Nageswara Rao informed him that the Prime Minister would go by accidental route but he failed to act even on his instructions. The Supreme Court said it will send the report of a five-member committee headed by former apex court judge Indu Malhotra to the government for appropriate action. Chief Justice N. A bench of V. Ramana, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hima Kohli, while reading out the report of the committee, said, “SSP Ferozepur Avneet Hans has failed to discharge his duty of maintaining law and order.” He failed to do so despite sufficient force being available and intimating the Prime Minister to enter the route two hours in advance.

Reading the report, the bench said, “Despite the availability of adequate security forces, he failed to do so even though he was informed two hours ago that the prime minister would pass through that route.” The Committee has also identified certain measures to strengthen the security of the Prime Minister during the visit.

Court had said, independent investigation is necessary
The Supreme Court had on January 12 constituted a five-member committee headed by former apex court judge Indu Malhotra to probe into the security lapses during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Punjab. The court had said that the questions cannot be left to a unilateral inquiry and need to be looked into by a person of jurisdiction. While staying separate investigations on the orders of the Center and the Punjab government in the matter, the bench had observed that the security lapse has not been seriously questioned by any party and an independent inquiry is necessary as the tussle between the two governments will not lead to any solution. Rather, a strong system is needed on this.

Besides Justice Malhotra, the bench had appointed Director General of NIA or his representative (not below the rank of Inspector General of Police), Chandigarh Director General of Police and Punjab Additional Director General of Police (Security) as members of the committee. The Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court was also made a member in it. The committee was entrusted with the task of making suggestions or recommendations on the protection of constitutional functionaries to ensure that such incidents do not happen in future. The apex court’s order came on a plea by an organization ‘Lawyers Voice’, which has sought a probe into the security lapses of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Punjab to ensure that no such incident happens in future.

Testimony of SPG, Punjab Police personnel also
It is being told that the Supreme Court committee also recorded the statements of the SPG commandos on duty, Punjab Police personnel and people around them on that day. Videos from that time were also seen in which the PM is seen sitting in the car and at some distance the protesters were blocking the road.