No security lapse, will give my life to protect PM: Punjab CM Channi

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday expressed regret after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to cut short his visit to the state, but asserted that there was no security lapse.

PM Modi, who landed in Bathinda and had to take the road route to Hussainiwala in Ferozepur because of inclement weather, was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes due to a blockade by some farmers, an incident the Union Home Ministry described as a "major lapse" in his security.

The CM said the entire incident will be probed and denied any security lapse or situation of any attack.

Channi shared a minute-to-minute programme of Modi's visit, saying three helipads were set up at Ferozepur as he was to reach from Bathinda by air.

There was a sudden change in the PM's travel plan from Bathinda to Ferozepur and everything was handled by central agencies, he told reporters.

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"It is wrong to say that there was a security lapse," the CM said, stressing that the Punjab Police had a limited role.

"The prime minister was to visit for the inauguration (of development projects) and address a political rally. We regret that he had to return due to the blockade en route," Channi told reporters.

"After all, he is the prime minister of the country. We respect him. There is a democratic system and federal system," said Channi.

"We regret that he had to go back and we are pained. We respect our prime minister," the CM said.

The CM said after some agitators had come on the road, they were told to take another route or try to fly by chopper.

But they decided to return, said Channi.

When a reporter asked who were the officials at the Bathinda airport who were reportedly told by the prime minister that they should thank Channi as his life was saved in the situation, the CM replied, "If he (PM) has said something in anger or with political thought, I don't want to make any comment." "However, I want to say one thing that I would have spilled my own blood before any harm to him, this is the spirit of Punjabis," said Channi, adding that a Punjabi will prefer to die rather than attack the guest visiting the state.