New Delhi: The Punjab police was informed in advance about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's road journey, the security issued involved and it was undertaken only after clearance from the state police chief, government sources said a day after the security lapse in Punjab.
Yesterday, on way to address a political rally in Ferozepur, PM Modi was stuck on a flyover in Punjab's Bathinda for around 20 minutes as protesting farmers had blocked a road ahead. Visuals from the spot showed his convoy stranded, and he was forced to turn back soon.
The BJP has blamed the Punjab police and administration for the lapse and demanded the dismissal of the state's home minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and the police chief.
The Congress has questioned the claims and the Punjab government has formed a three-member committee to investigate the issue.
That the Punjab Police was not aware of the security threats to PM Modi is a myth, sources in the Union government said.
"Internal documents from Punjab police show multiple communications by Punjab Police about securing the roads for PM's visit and journey," sources said, adding there was talk about a "traffic diversion plan in advance because a dharna may result in road block".
Internal communications of Punjab Police also mentions the need to "keep watch on the movement of farmers and that they should not be allowed to move to district Ferozepur to disrupt the rally," sources in the government said.
Sources also said when the helicopter journey from Bathinda was not possible, the Director of the Prime Minister's Special Protection Group discussed the possibility of undertaking a safe and secure road journey from Bathinda to Ferozepur with the Director General of Police.
The home ministry had said PM Modi was earlier scheduled to proceed from Bathinda in a helicopter and plans were changed in view of the weather.
"After getting clearance for road journey from DGP Punjab, road journey was planned. Senior officers of SPG had multiple conversations from DGP Punjab regarding the road journey," sources said.
In fact, the Senior Superintendent of Police of Bathinda had piloted the motorcade from Bathinda to Ferozepur district border. From there, the SSP Bathinda had taken over, sources said.