J&K Police denies security lapse in Bharat Jodo Yatra

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has rejected allegations made by the Congress that there was a security lapse during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra that entered the Kashmir Valley on Friday. Earlier in the day, Gandhi called off the padyatra, claiming that the police system had completely broken down.

Reacting to this, RK Goel, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Jammu and Kashmir, said, “The government is serious about the security concerns and all arrangements have been made to ensure the best possible security for the ongoing Bharat Jodi Yatra.” It’s called a security breach.

Goyal said that the size of the crowd was larger than planned, which suggested that there was a lack of security arrangements. He further said that a large section of passengers from Banihal, who were supposed to go back, continued towards Kashmir.

“The crowd size was larger than planned, which led to a strain on available security resources and created a perception that security was not in place. However, 15 companies of paramilitary forces and 10 companies of Jammu and Kashmir Police were deployed.

He said: “Contrary to the arrangements made between the organizers of the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the security establishment, a large section of the crowd, which was supposed to return to Banihal, fled towards Kashmir.”

The Jammu and Kashmir Police rejected the Congress’ allegation, saying there was no security lapse, and that the organizers had not informed the police about a large crowd joining the march from Banihal. “Jammu and Kashmir Police was not consulted before calling off the Bharat Jodo Yatra. We will provide foolproof security,” Vijay Kumar, Additional Director General of Police in charge of security in the Kashmir Valley, said in a statement. security issue.

Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge said it was “disappointing” to see the lapse in Gandhi’s security detail. India had already lost two prime ministers (referring to Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi) and hundreds of politicians. Demanding better security for the passengers, he said that it is the responsibility of the government.

Providing security is the responsibility of J&K administration: Rahul Gandhi

Earlier in the day, Gandhi had alleged that policemen controlling the crowd during the yatra were “nowhere to be seen”. Unfortunately, the police system has completely collapsed,” Gandhi said.

The Congress leader said his security team was uncomfortable with him walking ahead. “So, I had to cancel my walk. Of course other passengers traveled on foot,” he said, adding that it was important that the police manage the crowd so that the journey could continue.

“It is very difficult for me to go against what my security personnel are recommending,” he said. Stating that providing security is the responsibility of the J&K administration, Gandhi expressed hope that security would now be ensured for the remaining days of the yatra. He said, “I don’t know why this happened, but it should not happen yesterday and the day after.”

Gandhi began his journey from Banihal in the Jammu region, crossing the Jawahar Tunnel into the valley at Qazigund in a bulletproof vehicle. While the yatra was warmly received on this side of the tunnel, security forces found it difficult to control and manage the crowd of hundreds of party supporters. The Congress released a video purportedly showing police personnel retreating from the scene.

After crossing the Jawahar Tunnel, Gandhi and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah started walking and were given a warm welcome by the local residents. The yatris had to cover a distance of 9 km till Vesu in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, where they were scheduled to halt. The yatra was then to travel to the Khanabal region, where it would halt for the night.

However, Gandhi could barely walk 500 meters after crossing the tunnel, amid a jostling crowd to catch a glimpse of him. Despite heavy snow in the area, people had gathered in large numbers. However, Gandhi was asked by his security team to stop, as there was an absence of police personnel to manage the large crowd that had gathered to welcome him. The yatra was halted for about 20 minutes and Congress leaders, including AICC general secretary organization KC Venugopal, told reporters that it was a “very serious security lapse”.

“Senior security officials have to come here and answer this. Why are they doing this?” Venugopal told reporters. After a brief halt, Gandhi got into his vehicle and was taken to Khanabal.

Abdullah tweeted, “I am a witness to this. The outer cordon of the cordon, which was maintained by the J&K Police, disappeared within minutes Rahul Gandhi start walking.

‘Politics has its place…’

Terming the incident as a major security lapse, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Gandhi’s security team is in discussion with the Jammu and Kashmir administration to ensure that everything goes smoothly for the next few days.

Politics has its place, but in Jammu and Kashmir, by playing with the security of Rahul Gandhi, the government has stooped to the lowest level.

Ramesh said there have been some minor security lapses during the visit so far, “but nothing major like this”. “The administration should have assessed the magnitude of the crowd well in advance. But, he took it lightly. The strength of the security forces was not what it should have been. So Rahul ji had to come in the car. It is a lapse on the part of the administration,” he said, adding that it was a serious issue.

(With PTI inputs)

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