Central agencies had warned on the intent of ‘Sikhs For Justice’, others during PM visit

The routine inputs had certain vital warnings for the Punjab government, asking it to remain vigilant as the venue of the Prime Minister's programme on Wednesday was close to the border with Pakistan.

New Delhi: Days after PM Narendra Modi's cavalcade faced a major security breach in Punjab, sources reveal that the central intelligence agencies had cautioned, among other things, that Gurpatwant Singh Pannu of the Sikhs For Justice had been provoking local youths and luring them with 'money'. 

The central agency had also asked the Punjab government to remain vigilant as the venue of the Prime Minister's function was close to the border with Pakistan.

Some inputs were "specific and actionable" and also spoke about the role that could be played by leaders and volunteers of SKM constituents, including the BKU(E-U) and KMSC (Satnam Singh Pannu group), which have not joined the SKM's recently floated political outfit 'Sanyukt Samaj Morcha'. Some of these organisations were likely to organise 'gherao' programmes. The possibility of the opposition of Sikh radicals too cannot be ruled out, one input had said, sources said.

Meanwhile, through communication from its Chief Secretary Anirudh Tewari, the Punjab government sent a report to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on alleged lapses in PM Narendra Modi's security during his visit to Ferozepur. The report, according to sources, claimed the protest by farmers was 'sudden'. But it said an FIR has been lodged and a probe panel also set up.

During a hearing in the Supreme Court on Friday on the matter, the Centre, through Solicitor General, said that the setting up of the committee by the Punjab government is only an 'afterthought'. 

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah had asserted that such lapses vis-a-vis PM's security would not be acceptable, and the Ministry had sought a detailed report on the PM's security breach as his vehicle remained 'stranded' on the flyover for 15-20 minutes. The Central Home Ministry has also issued a show-cause notice to Bathinda SSP, Ajay Maluja, and sought a reply by Saturday, January 8 evening. The SSP piloted the motorcade from Bathinda to Ferozepur.