Congress accuses govt of withdrawing security for yatra

Rahul Gandhi with NC V-P Omar Abdullah and others during Bharat Jodo Yatra, in Qazigund, on Friday. PIC/PTI

Congress on Friday accused the government of withdrawing security personnel from around Rahul Gandhi as the Bharat Jodo Yatra reached near Qazigund in Jammu and Kashmir, and demanded action against those responsible for the alleged security breach.

"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?" asked AICC general secretary KC Venugopal.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he had to cancel his walk for the day because police arrangements by the J&K administration "unfortunately completely collapsed".

Also Read: Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah says 'more concerned about country's image' as he joins Bharat Jodo Yatra in Banihal

After entering Qazigund, Gandhi could walk for barely 500 metres when his security team asked him to stop given the absence of police personnel to manage the large
crowd that had gathered to receive him.

"It's the J&K administration's responsibility to provide security... I hope security will now be ensured for remaining days of the yatra. I don't know why it happened but tomorrow and day after tomorrow it should not happen," Gandhi said in the unscheduled meeting with reporters.

"Politics has its place but by playing with Rahul Gandhi's security in Jammu and Kashmir, the government has stooped to its lowest level," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh tweeted.

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Day in January Bharat Jodo Yatra will conclude

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