The Congress on Friday alleged inadequate security arrangements for former party chief Rahul Gandhi during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Kashmir’s Banihal, accusing the administration of “playing with the life” of the Gandhi scion.
Following the alleged security breach, Rahul had to leave the foot march and was taken in a bulletproof car.
“Security was withdrawn and there was total mishandling by the security officers. This is a sensitive place and they are playing with the life of Rahul Gandhi,” Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal told media persons at Quazigund, the Kashmir town which serves as the entrance to the Valley.
In a tweet later, Venugopal said, “The sudden withdrawal of security personnel from the D-area has caused a serious security breach at the Bharat Jodo Yatra at Banihal, Kashmir. Who ordered this? The authorities responsible must answer for this lapse and take appropriate steps to prevent such incidents in future.”
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Jammu and Kashmir Congress in charge Rajani Patil said, “J&K UT administration failed to provide security to Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi. Security lapses indicate an unfair and unprepared attitude of UT administration.”
She also shared a picture on Twitter showing Rahul being taken in a bulletproof car from the yatra.
Speaking at a press conference in Anantnag’s Khanabal, Rahul alleged a “complete security collapse” near the Quazigund tunnel. “I don’t why it happened. But it should not happen tomorrow or the day after tomorrow,” he said.
Earlier in the day, former chief minister and J&K National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah walked along Rahul during the foot march, which entered the Union Territory on January 20.
Meanwhile, a delegation led by Venugopal and Patil met LG Manoj Sinha to discuss security arrangements for the yatra, which started from Kanyakumari on September 7 last year and is scheduled to conclude in Srinagar on January 30. It covered Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Delhi.
Rahul will address a public meeting at Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar on January 30.