No threat inputs to Bharat Jodo Yatra: DGP Dilbagh Singh

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Police chief, Dilbagh Singh on Tuesday said that there are no threat inputs to the upcoming Bharat Jodo Yatra and that all security measures have been taken to facilitate it when it reaches the UT.

“I chaired a security review and BJY was also discussed. There is no threat to the Yatra. All security measures will be taken to facilitate it at district and range level,” DGP told reporters in Srinagar on the sidelines of a function as per the news agency KNO.

Replying to a query, the DGP said police have got some vital clues with regard to the Rajouri attacks and that success will be achieved soon. The DGP said that police have got some vital clues during the investigation. “The area is close to the forest and after frequent militant sightings, four-five unsuccessful operations have been launched. As far as the investigation is concerned, we have got some solid clues and the arrests will be made soon. I hope that success will be achieved soon,” he said.

DGP also said that “the main character behind terrorism in J&K and other parts of the country from across the border is being exposed at the international level. Measures are being taken to tighten up the process against the involved people and notify them as terrorists. The profile of these persons is also being sent to the different organizations working against terrorism.”

Meanwhile, DGP chaired a high-level security review meeting in Srinagar in which senior officers of Kashmir Zone participated. A police spokesman said that the meeting reviewed the crime and security scenario of the Valley. He said that arrangements for the upcoming Republic Day were also discussed.

Addressing the officers, the DGP said that action against the terror ecosystem must be carried forward meticulously and in a coordinated manner. “Although J&K Police along with other forces has got successes across Jammu and Kashmir against the terrorists, stringent actions against the terror support system, narcotics and narco-terror modules should be continued with an aim to bring an end to it,” the spokesman said, adding that the DGP stressed upon the jurisdictional officers to ensure direct supervision of UAPA, NDPS and other special reported heinous cases so that the investigation and disposal of all pending cases as well as of new cases are brought to a logical conclusion on priority.

Reviewing the arrangements for the upcoming Republic Day functions, the DGP directed for ensuring all required and necessary security arrangements are in place. “He directed for coordination and synergy among all the stakeholders. He directed the officers that while dealing with any situation, they should ensure that law-abiding people are not put to any inconvenience during their day-to-day activities. He also directed for stringent action against OGWs or anyone supporting terrorism, or narco-terror modules in the UT,” the spokesman said.

Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra plan in J&K

As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra is set to enter Jammu and Kashmir for its culmination after covering around 4000 kilometers distance, the foot march by the Parliamentarian has certainly become a talking point among the people.

As per the news agency KNO, Rahul Gandhi will spend around 11 days in Jammu and Kashmir and participate in various public meets, interactions besides visiting famous temples, shrines and iconic spots.

Member Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Incharge Jammu Kashmir Congress Committee, Rajni Patil informed that Rahul-led Bharat Jodo Yatra will be entering into Jammu and Kashmir on January 19, after a grand flag handover ceremony in Punjab’s Pathankot.

“After Haryana leg and Punjab leg, the Yatra will march into Jammu and Kashmir via Lakhanpur. And will be in the state for almost 11-12 days, followed by a grand function in Srinagar for its successful culmination, where all Congress chief ministers and senior leaders of Opposition are likely to participate,” MP Patil said.

She further said that, after entering J&K, Yatra will be welcomed at Maharaja Gulab Singh’s status at Lakhanpur and then march forward.

“The BJY is staying in containers and its first halt will be at Hatli Morh, Kathua. On January 20, it will resume at 7:00 in the morning from Hatli Morch and break at Channi, while the stay will be in Chadwal,” she said, adding, “January 21 is a break day, while on January 22, it will further resume from Hiranagar and make a night halt at Duggar Havali, Samba.”

Patil further said that a grand rally is planned on January 23 at Satwari Jammu and a night halt will be at Shidra in the outskirts while on January 24, the Yatra will break for two times and a night halt is planned at Udhampur.

“Similarly, it will resume on January 15 and make its night halt in Ramban while itinerary in Kashmir hasn’t been announced fully and still updating,” she said and added that a grand culminating ceremony is planned at Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium Srinagar where a large number of people, chief minister of Congress-led states, likeminded Opposition leaders are likely to participate.

A Congress leader informed that the march is planned in such a way that it passes through iconic places and places of religious faiths, where Rahul is likely to visit. However, the party sources added that Rahul is unlikely to visit outer peripheries and border areas during his visit due to security issues.

As per sources, security concerns for the Yatra also mounted as it is set to enter Jammu and Kashmir, where encounters between ‘terrorists’ and security forces have often taken place, in the third week of this month.

According to party sources, Rahul is unlikely to visit the border belt and Vaishno Devi shrine. However, he will be visiting Raghunath Ji temple, Bawe Wali Mata Temple during his stay in Jammu.

The Congress has exhorted “like-minded” groups and individuals to join the march to keep the BJP at bay. Jammu and Kashmir is a crucial state for Congress as it reaches a very crucial time, with Assembly elections approaching in near future.

The J&K Legislative Assembly was suspended after the BJP fell out with Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in June 2018. But between 2014 – when the BJP-PDP alliance was struck – and 2018 – when they split – much of the political and demographic landscape in the Valley has shifted.

The Gupkar alliance of Kashmiri parties has developed cracks, with the National Conference announcing to go it alone, and the UT has undergone a delimitation exercise.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra’s stated goal is to “unite the country” but the Congress is seen to use this massive mass-contact programme to address its existential crisis triggered by the exits of top leaders (the latest being Ghulam Nabi Azad), dissent, infighting (Rajasthan is a case in point) and a string of poll defeats.

Launched on September 7, 2022, from Kanyakumari, the southern tip of the peninsula, to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, spanning 3,570 kilometers, which will come to its end on January 30.