Trio tries to hoist tricolour in Lal Chowk

Srinagar: People on Tuesday foiled a bid by unidentified men to hoist the tricolour on Ghanta Ghar at Lal Chowk here.

Witnesses said the three men, non-locals, appeared at the site with the flag at around noon.

As soon as they tried to hoist the flag, the locals caught hold of them and thrashed them, they said.

“The people raised pro-freedom slogans, while a few among the locals, along a woman, burnt down the tricolour,” an eyewitness said.

Police later detained the three non-locals.

Soon after the incident, heavy deployment of paramilitary CRPF and police was made in and around the Ganta Ghar.

Superintendent of Police (SP), Srinagar East, Dawood Ayub, while confirming the incident, said the investigation has started.

“The investigation will reveal who they were. We will share the details with you once we come to know about their identity,” he said.

In the past as well, similar attempts have been made and foiled.

In December 2017, around 20 activists of Shiv Sena appeared at Ganta Ghar and tried to hoist the tricolor.

The activists were detained by the police.

Meanwhile, police issued a statement on Tuesday evening that read: “Today afternoon few persons came to Ghanta Ghar in connection with some political activity.

“Some miscreants assembled at the scene and created disturbances by criminally intimidating them.”

“Police Station Maisuma has taken cognizance by registering FIR No 27/2018 under section 341,506 and 323 RPC and investigation has been initiated in the instant matter.”