Nehru carried flag among people, LG needs security: Mehbooba's retort to J&K Lt Guv

File Photo/PTI

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti has countered Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha's participation in a 'tiranga' rally by pointing out that the administration now requires a security contingent to carry the national flag, whereas India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, carried the flag amidst ordinary people in 1949.

Mehbooba Mufti's response came after Sinha took part in a 'tiranga' rally in the city and commented that there were plenty of people raising the national flag.

As part of Independence Day celebrations, Sinha participated in the rally and indirectly referred to the PDP president's past statement that there would be no one left in Jammu and Kashmir to raise the tiranga if the region's special status was revoked.

Responding to this, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir posted a tweet saying, "Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru with the tricolor standing tall amongst a sea of enthusiastic Kashmiris at Lal Chowk, Srinagar, circa 1949. LG administration carrying the same national flag surrounded by a posse of security personnel in 2023."

Mehbooba Mufti had previously expressed concerns that the revocation of Article 370 in 2019 could lead to a situation where raising the national flag might become difficult in the region.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir's top cop Sunday said adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure peaceful conduct of Independence Day celebrations in the union territory.

Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said people should come in large numbers to participate in the Independence Day celebrations across Jammu and Kashmir.

"There is a lot of enthusiasm and people want to participate in the Independence Day functions. We have made adequate security arrangements for the Independence Day celebrations," Singh told reporters at a 'tiranga' rally here.

Responding to questions, Singh said the number of active militants in Jammu and Kashmir was not very high but asserted that the security forces cannot lower their guard.

"We don't have to go into the numbers, which is not high anyways. But attempts are being made from across and through social media to mislead the youth.The youth have, however, understood that this (militancy) is a path to destruction. I congratulate them," he added.

On the situation along the borders, the DGP said there were attempts of infiltration from Pakistan but most of these bids have been foiled at the Line of Control (LoC) itself.

"Attempts to infiltrate have been taking place but most of the bids have been eliminated. Most of the encounters this year have taken place along the LoC," he added.