On January 5, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly escaped assassination bid when members of Khalistan movement trapped his convoy on a flyover in Punjab. According to media reports, Narendra Modi was in Punjab on Wednesday (January 5) to participate in multiple public meetings. While going to attend one program at National Martyrs Memorial, he was stuck on a flyover for over 20 minutes when some ‘protestors’ blocked his way. Prime Minister Modi was safely rescued to Bhatinda airport, from where he flew back to Delhi.
But this was not a sudden attack or assassination bid. Media reports claim, a year ago, on December 1, 2020, Khalistanis had uploaded a 3-minute video graphic video on YouTube detailing how PM Modi could be trapped on a flyover and lynched. The video, uploaded on Dhakka Gaming channel, has been viewed over 50,000 times. There are multiple such videos on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and other platforms.
A section of Indian media claims, many Khalistanis, settled in USA, UK, Canada and Australia, have openly threatened to assassinate PM Modi. The intelligence reports had earlier suggested that the Khalistanis hijacked the farmers’ protest at the Delhi borders. Multiple videos have revealed that the ‘protestors’ were dangerously close to the prime minister.
Taking cognizance of the security lapse, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a press statement. It said, “The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) taking cognizance of this serious security lapse has sought a detailed report from the state government. The State government has also been asked to fix responsibility for this lapse and take strict action”.
It added, “The Prime Minister’s schedule and travel plan was communicated well in advance to the Punjab government. As per procedure, they have to make necessary arrangements for logistics, security, and keep a contingency plan ready. Also, in view of the contingency plan, the Punjab Government has to deploy additional security to secure any movement by road, which were clearly not deployed”.
When the prime minister visits any state, the chief minister, state DGP and chief secretary receive the prime minister and accompany him. But, in Punjab’s case, all there were absent from the Prime Minister’s convoy.
It was revealed on Thursday (January 6) that Punjab Police itself had written at least three internal memos regarding dangers to the prime minister and security arrangements. One of the memos had exclusively asked for making alternate arrangements for traffic diversion. These memos were shared with 11 ADGP rank officers, including liaisons for the prime minister’s security.
The MHA constituted a three-member committee on Thursday (January 6) to investigate the lapses.
The Supreme Court on Friday (January 7) asked the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to forthwith secure and preserve all records relating to the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Punjab on Wednesday (January 5). The Supreme Court bench, which comprised CJI NV Ramana, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hima Kohli, also asked the Union and Punjab governments to stop further action by the committees they have constituted to inquire into the alleged lapses in security measures pertaining to the Prime Minister’s visit till it hears the matter again on January 10. The directions came on a plea by ‘Lawyer’s Voice’, a Delhi-based rights body that has moved the court on Thursday (January 6).
