Omar Abdullah govt readies plan to foil BJP’s Lal Chowk march

The Jammu and Kashmir government has formally decided not to allow any programme with a “potential of vitiating the peaceful atmosphere” in the run up to the Republic Day.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by chief minister Omar Abdullah in Jammu on Thursday. “It was decided that no programme which has the potential of vitiating the peaceful atmosphere in the state will be allowed,” a government spokesman said.

DNA was first to report on January 13 that the Jammu and Kashmir government was determined to thwart BJP’s flag hoisting plans.

Without naming BJP or separatist JKLF, which has called for a parallel Lal Chowk march on January 26, the spokesman said while Republic Day should be celebrated with full fervor and enthusiasm, elements who are bent upon disturbing law and order should be dealt with sternly.

Chief secretary SS Kapur and director-general of police Kuldeep Khoda briefed the meeting about preparations made by the administration to ensure that Republic Day celebrations pass off peacefully.

Incidentally the decision comes a day after Omar met Union home minister P Chidambaram in Delhi.

However, the BJP stayed undeterred and firm on hoisting the flag, “We are not breaking any law by hoisting the tricolour. Our ‘yatra’ is for national integration and it will continue. Law and order is a state subject and if the government both in state and centre are not able to maintain it, they have no moral authority to continue in power,” said SS Manhas, BJP state president.