Arrangements put in place for grand reception
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Jan 18: Amidst unprecedented security arrangements and enthusiasm among Congress workers, Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra is all set to enter Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory tomorrow evening.
After covering 3700 kms distance from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and crossing neighbouring Punjab State, the Yatra will reach Lakhanpur in Kathua district around 6.30 pm amid grand welcome by the Congress and supporters and others.
Besides senior Congress leaders and workers, National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and former Minister Choudhary Lal Singh are likely to receive Rahul Gandhi at Lakhanpur.
Entry of the Yatra in J&K will mark handing over the tricolor flag to JKPCC President by the Punjab Congress chief at Lakhanpur, which will be followed by a public address by Rahul Gandhi near the entry point.
All arrangements for success and security of the yatra have been given final touches and senior Congress leaders as well as top Police officers were seen camping Lakhanpur today.
Additional Director General (ADGP) of Jammu Zone, Mukesh Singh convened a high level meeting today with senior Police officers and Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar for discussing security arrangements in view of the Yatra. In the meeting, which was attended by DIGs, District SPs, SSP Security and Traffic SPs, the ADGP issued necessary instruction for fool proof security and smooth conduct of the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
Mukesh Singh told the Excelsior that all necessary security arrangements have been put in place for peaceful and smooth conduct of the Yatra, which is scheduled to arrive here tomorrow evening.
SSP Kathua Shiv Deep Singh Jamwal along with his team personally visited the sites where Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to address public meeting and stay for the night.
Bharat Jodo Yatra Coordinator Kamleshwar Patil and senior Congress leaders were seen supervising the arrangements and issuing necessary instruction for grand welcome to the Yatra.
After night halt near RTO office ground in Lakhanpur, the Yatra will proceed further towards Hatli Morh next morning. After covering 23 km distance on foot from Lakhanpur, the Yatra will reach Chadwal in Hiranagar for two days stay and listening to the public deputations.
On January 22, the Yatra will move forward from Hiranagar to Duggar Haveli and reach Vijaypur from where it will proceed further on January 23 morning towards Satwari Chowk where a public rally will be held.
On January 24, the Yatra will start from Sitlee By Pass Nagrota near Toll Gate and reach near Army Gate Rehambal at 2 pm from where it will proceed further for night halt at Ramban.
On January 25, Rahul Gandhi will start Yatra from Maitra Ramban in the morning and after passing through Khowbagh and Harpura Banihal, he will reach at Lamber Banihal where a corner meeting will be addressed by him on the same day at 4 pm.
After having rest on January 26, Rahul Gandhi will enter Kashmir valley on January 27 via Jawahar Tunnel. He will then travel through Dooru, Verinag and Anantnag before arriving in Srinagar. On January 30, the Yatra will conclude with a mega rally at Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in which leaders from opposing political parties and prominent personalities who support the Yatra will participate. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah, and Farooq Abdullah among others are likely to take part in the event.
Encouraged over the positive response from all the opposition parties, Congress is also learnt to have extended invitations to prominent persons from civil society to participate in the Yatra.
“We would very much like you to come and walk with us. If for some reason you cannot join us, then do join us in spirit. Become a Bharat Yatri and carry the message of love and harmony with us,” read the invitation letter signed by Rahul Gandhi and forwarded to several prominent people in J&K.
Meanwhile, AICC General Secretary and senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh today said that Rahul Gandhi may curtail the distance on foot during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir keeping in view the security concerns.
“Rahul Gandhi would undertake padyatra in Jammu and Kashmir but there would be no compromise with security. We are having a consultation with the UT authorities regarding the security and maybe the distance on foot could be curtailed,” he said while addressing a press conference at Shimla on the sidelines of the Yatra which entered Himachal Pradesh this morning.
The march, which started from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7, will conclude with Rahul Gandhi hoisting the national flag in Srinagar. It has so far covered Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.
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