news details |
|
|
| Why have a clock tower at Lal Chowk? | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu, Dec 25: The clock tower at Lal Chowk in the summer capital has become a hot spot for the separatists and main-stream politicians. Both want to conquer it to prove their strength (if not worth). While the government seems, desperate to keep the clock tower `out of bounds' especially for the separatists, the curbs imposed to ensure its `protection' every now and then subject the commoner to inconvenience.
Pertinent to mention, the clock tower has no historical importance. It came up in early 80s and became politically important in 1992 when the then BJP president, Murli Manohar Joshi hoisted the tricolor on the tower. He started his yatra from a distant state in India and ended it at Lal Chowk.
Joshi had to hoist the Tricolor in haste as a rocket fired by militants barely missed the tower. Joshi thought he did country a favour. But, according to a senior police officer, he did a favour to militants. "They were involved in group clashes but Joshi's yatra was seen as an attack on Kashmir. It united the militants", he said.
Now the BJP is planning a similar yatra. Once again, the Tricolor shall be hoisted atop the clock tower on January 26. Will it make any difference?
On Eid-ul-Fitr, a procession led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq ended at Lal Chowk. Hundreds of flags were hoisted on all sides of the tower. The cement fencing that had been put in place recently gave way. The government is now using iron rods to give the much needed strength to the tower.
Since 2008, the separatists tried several times to `conquer' the tower. Every time the authorities clamped curfew to foil their move. The authorities even used barbed wire to keep the agitated youth away from the tower.
A question arises. Why has a clock tower at a sensitive spot especially when it never shows accurate time? If the tower is demolished, peace may return to Lal Chowk if not Kashmir. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
 |
| BSE
Sensex |
 |
| NSE
Nifty |
|
|
| |
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
