Three BJP leaders from Kupwara detained for hoisting tricolour

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday detained three BJP leaders from Kupwara who tried to raise tricolour at Clock Tower, Lal Chowk, Srinagar, this morning, officials said.

They said that three BJP leaders from the party’s Kupwara unit reached Lal Chowk, near Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar) this morning that include party spokesman from Kupwara, Mir Basharat, and two other leaders—Mir Ishfaq and Akhtar Khan.

Speaking ahead of their detention, BJP spokesman for Kupwara, Mir Basharat said they came to Lal Chowk to hoist Tricolour to send a message to members of Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration that only national flag will remain in Kashmir.

“Today, we came to celebrate the day when Maharaja Hari Singh signed the instrument of accession with the Centre. Our message is for Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah and all other members  of PAGD, that only tricolour will be unfurled in Kashmir,” he said.

Police, however, swung into action and detained all three BJP leaders. “They have been lodged in Police Station Kothibagh,” a police official said.