J&K admin rejects claims of security lapse at Bharat Jodo Yatra

Jammu: Amid claims of security lapse at Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Friday said pressure on security resources due to the size of the crowd larger than planned may have created an impression of lack of security arrangements during the Rahul Gandhi-led foot march. It also asserted that all security arrangements have been made for the ongoing Yatra as the government is "totally mindful of the safety concerns".

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday cancelled his walk as part of the Bharat Jodo Yatra for the



day after it entered Kashmir Valley, with the party alleging a security lapse and claiming the police arrangements by the Union territory administration "completely collapsed".

Gandhi, who began his yatra from Banihal in Jammu region, crossed the Jawahar tunnel into the Valley in Qazigund in a bulletproof vehicle but could walk for barely 500 meters after that. He was asked by his security team to stop given the absence of police personnel to manage the large crowd that had gathered to receive him.