J&K’s BJP panchayat chiefs to hoist flag at homes on Independence Day

New Delhi: The newly-elected BJP panchayat chiefs in Jammu and Kashmir will hoist the national flag at their homes this Independence Day and will be provided with adequate security in view of the threat from separatists and insurgents who have opposed any such move in the Valley in previous years.

Government sources said this is one of the reasons why additional para military personnel have been moved to the Valley last week. With PDP and National Conference boycotting the local bodies elections in November 2018, BJP had bagged a sizeable number of seats, followed by Congress and Independents.

The state administration is encouraging all panchayat heads to celebrate August 15 in a big way. “The panchayat chiefs will be hoisting the national tricolour at their homes on Independence Day. The panchayat elections were a success as 75 % polling took place. Assembly elections witness only 10-15% polling. PDP and NC, which have been winning these state polls, were in a way being boycotted by the people,” a senior BJP leader said.