Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday said there was no security lapse at all in the Bharat Jodo Yatra after Rahul Gandhi accused the police and administration of security breach during the Yatra at Qazigund.
A Police spokesperson said, “Only authorised persons as identified by organisers & frisked crowd was allowed inside towards the route of Yatra. Organisers & managers of Bharat Jodo Yatra did not intimate about large gathering from Banihal joining the Yatra, which thronged near the starting point.”
“Full security arrangements were in place including 15 Coys of CAPFs and 10 Coys of JKP, comprising of ROPs and QRTs, route domination, lateral deployment and SFs were deployed for high-ridge and other deployments”, he said.
The spokesperson said, “J&K Police was not consulted before taking any decision on discontinuation of Yatra after conducting 1 km yatra by organizers. Rest of yatra continued peacefully. There was no security lapse at all. We will provide foolproof security.”
Rahul Gandhi said addressing a press conference in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag., “This morning during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, unfortunately, the police arrangement completely collapsed and the police who were supposed to manage the crowd was nowhere to be seen. My security people were very uncomfortable with me walking further on the yatra so I had to cancel my walk. Other yatris did the walk.”
Further speaking on security issues, Gandhi said, “I think it is important the police manages the crowd so that we can do the yatra. It’s very difficult for me to go against what my security people are recommending.”
