Security stepped up in Kathua over BJP’s ‘Tiranga Yatra’

KATHUA - Police stepped up security in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua region on Tuesday after Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code was imposed to prevent Bharatiya Janata Party from hoisting the Tricolour at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk on Republic Day.

“We have imposed Section 144 in Kathua. We will look what the situation is after the Yatra (rally) arrives,” said District Commissioner Zahida Khan.

High deployment of the security forces and police has been made at Lakhanpur, which has also been converted into a makeshift Police Headquarter.

The State government has also deployed forces on the Punjab border at Lakhanpur.

“We will implement the law and order in a clear-cut fashion. The orders will be followed and all arrangements will be made. We have taken all the precautionary measures. As per the law, whatever orders we will be given would be followed. There is no relaxation,” said Garib Dass, Deputy Inspector General of Kathua region.

The State Government has made it clear that it will not allow any flag hoisting at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on the Republic Day.

The BJP has, however, reiterated its resolve to hoist the tricolour at Lal Chowk.

Earlier, six BJP leaders were arrested and a train carrying party workers to Jammu was sent back to Karnataka without the passengers coming to know.

Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha national president Anurag Thakur is leading the Rashtriya Ekta Yatra - flagged off on January 12 at Kolkata and scheduled to reach Srinagar on January 26.

The Yatra was expected to cover 3,037 km and enter the State on the afternoon of January 24 at Pathankot. (ANI)