Rahul Gandhi’s tour of flood-affected areas in Gurdaspur district, Punjab, culminated in a tense confrontation with police officials. Gandhi’s plan included a visit to Makoda Pattan in Dinanagar, where villages along the Ravi River were severely impacted by the floods. His intention was to engage with the residents; however, he was prevented from accessing certain locations near the Pakistan border due to security reasons, sparking an argument.
When Gandhi advanced towards the villages near the border, SP Jugraj Singh intervened. He explained that the area was deemed unsafe, citing breaches in the border fencing. Consequently, security agencies couldn’t take any risks. Gandhi contested the decision, demanding to know why he couldn’t be provided protection within India. The SP reiterated the security concerns and emphasized the area’s uniqueness. This led to a heated exchange between Congress members and police officers.
Despite the prolonged discussion, authorities did not allow Gandhi to proceed. Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, President of the Punjab Congress, questioned the inability to ensure security within the nation. Gandhi ultimately had to return without visiting those specific villages, though he previously assessed conditions and interacted with people in several other flood-hit regions.