PM Modi's Ferozepur rally cancelled, home ministry blames major lapse in security

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first rally in poll-bound Punjab, scheduled to take place in Ferozepur on Wednesday, has been cancelled due to what the Union home ministry has described as a 'major lapse in the PM's security.'

Today morning PM landed at Bathinda from where he was to go to National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala by helicopter. Due to rain and poor visibility, PM waited for about 20 minutes for the weather to clear out: MHA

When the weather didn't improve, the ministry said, a decision was taken that the Prime Minister will visit the memorial via road, adding that this journey would have taken more than two hours. "He proceeded to travel by road after necessary confirmation on security arrangements by the DGP, Punjab Police," it further said.

While the statement did not specify who the agitators were, in the run-up to the Prime Minister's visit, videos emerged on social media of people, said to be farmers protesting against the now-repealed central agricultural laws, allegedly blocking roads leading to Ferozepur.

Meanwhile, blaming Punjab government, the MHA said that the PM's schedule and travel plan was communicated well in advance and, as such, the state government has to make necessary arrangement for logistics, security as well as keep a contingency plan ready.