Seven BJP activists arrested in Srinagar

Police today arrested seven BJP activists as they made a vain bid to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar, which had been turned into a fortress to foil the party's plan.

A lone BJP supporter appeared at Regal Chowk, less than 100 yards away from Clock Tower at Lal Chowk, carrying a national flag at 8.30am, officials said.

Srikant, a resident of Gurgaon in Haryana, was apprehended by police personnel before he could make his way to the venue for hoisting the flag. He was taken to Kothibagh police station. Six other BJP activists were arrested near a prominent hotel here for violating prohibitory orders at around 11.00am, the officials said.

They said all the six arrested persons were from outside the state and police is trying to ascertain their identity.

Although JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik had called for a march to Lal Chowk, there has been no attempt by the group so far to take out a march. Moderate Hurriyat leaders including Bilal Gani Lone have supported Malik's call.

The separatist leaders, who went underground over the weekend to avoid arrest, were camping in a hotel in the vicinity of Lal Chowk last night but stringent security has ensured that they are not able to carry out their plans of hoisting their flag so far.