Omar digs in heels ahead of BJP yatra

JAMMU: J&K government on Thursday said it wouldn't allow anything that would vitiate the state's peaceful atmosphere ahead of the Republic Day celebrations.

''Civil and police authorities have been asked to ensure that law and order isn't disturbed in the run up to the celebrations,'' said an official statement ahead of BJP's plans to hoist the tricolour at the culmination of its Ekta Yatra at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on January 26.

The statement didn't refer to the yatra.

Chief minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday asked BJP to join the official Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar and not to overshadow the event. He said the saffron party was trying to vitiate the atmosphere after the situation has normalized after four-month street protests last year.

The statement was issued after the chief minister met senior state ministers and police brass to discuss arrangements for the Republic Day. ''The elements bent upon disturbing law and order should be dealt with sternly,'' the statement said.

Omar met home minister P Chidambaram and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to discuss the yatra on Wednesday. ''Omar got the nod from the two leaders to disallow flag hoisting at Lal Chowk,'' a source said.

In Srinagar, BJP Yuva Morcha general secretary Niteen Naveen said the yatra, which started from Kolkata on January 12, would enter Jammu & Kashmir on January 24. ''Our 50,000 youth would converge at Lal Chowk and hoist the flag,'' he said. He asked the chief minister to quit if he feels that their programme would disrupt peace.

''We would give a befitting reply if attempts are made to stop us,'' he said.

Kashmiri separatists have dared the BJP to hoist the flag and asked its supporters to march to Lal Chowk on January 26.