In Gurdaspur district of Punjab, Rahul Gandhi encountered a disagreement with police officers during a visit to flood-affected areas. Gandhi had arrived at Makoda Pattan in Dinanagar, where several villages on the other side of the Ravi River were impacted by floods. Intending to meet with residents, he was stopped near the Pakistan border. Police cited security concerns as the reason for preventing him from accessing certain villages. This led to a sharp exchange between Gandhi and the officers.
As Gandhi attempted to proceed towards villages bordering Pakistan, SP Jugraj Singh intervened, citing that the area was unsafe due to damaged border fencing. Security agencies, he explained, could not overlook any potential threats. Gandhi questioned why he couldn’t be protected within Indian territory, prompting the SP to emphasize the unique nature of the location and the paramount importance of Gandhi’s safety. The ensuing argument involved Congress leaders and police officials.
Despite the prolonged discussion, officers did not permit Gandhi to continue his visit. Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring expressed concerns about the inability to ensure security within the country’s own borders. Eventually, Gandhi was compelled to return without visiting those particular villages. However, he had previously assessed the situation in several other flood-affected areas and interacted with local residents.