news details |
|
|
| As Lal Chowk's clock tower awaits a watch, people demand its demolition | | `It has been a cause of nuisance for 3 decades' | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Oct 11: Erected in early 80s in the heart of Srinagar city, the clock tower has never shown correct time. Instead, it has become the centre stage of Kashmir politics with political activists from diverse ideologies trying to prove their mettle around it.
While, security men guard it round the clock for the importance it has assumed over the years, it continues to evoke ridicule for its failure to show the correct time.
Around a week ahead of the revocation of Article 35 A and 370 of the Indian constitution which conferred special status on the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the neglected but politically important tower attracted the attention of the authorities. Work for replacement of the worn out clocks started. But as ill luck would have it, the union government took a decision on August 5 that brought life to a standstill across the state. The tower was forgotten yet again and continues to haunt the security agencies who guard it round the clock ever since.
Interestingly, the security men have not only took action against the separatists for using the tower to show their strength, the pro-Indian people including anthers Party supremo, Bhim Singh have also been taken into custody for their political activity around the tower. The authorities, according to a senior official in the Divisional Commissioner's office want to keep the tower apolitical. "No political activity can be risked at the sensitive spot. If separatists stage a sit in there, it becomes international news and if any pro-Indian activity happens there, it can trigger violent demonstrations. This is why we keep the area under restrictions in difficult times," he said.
The frequent restrictions imposed in the area subject people to inconvenience who have started demanding demolition of the tower. "It serves no purpose, rarely shows correct and has been a cause of nuisance for the past three decades," said Sonaullah who runs a shop in the area.
The tower gained importance due to former BJP president, Murli Manohar Joshi's march in January 1990. Joshi hoisted the tricolor atop the tower on January 26, 1990. Since then it remains in news not for its public utility but for political reasons. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
