BJP''s flag rally: Lakhanpur turned into ''cantonment''

Lakhanpur (JK), Jan 25 (PTI) Lakhanpur, popularly knownas the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir, has been converted into avirtual cantonment to thwart BJP''s attempt to enter the stateto hoist the tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar tomorrow.

"Over 7,000 security personnel have been deployed at theJK-Punjab border terminal to prevent the BJP rally fromentering the state," a senior officer in-charge of Lakhanpursector said here today.

Two women platoons have also been deployed in view of thepresence of women activists, he said.

Led by senior saffron leaders including Arun Jaitley andSushma Swaraj, BJYM''s ''Rastriya Ekta rally'' has started itsflag hoisting rally from Pathankot in Punjab.

"We are ready to meet any challenge. Lakhanpur has beenconverted into a cantonment...We will ensure minimum use offorce and non-lethal approach to stop the from entering JK,"the officer said.

Barricades and barbed wire walls have been put up at allthe seven entry points at Lakhanpur in JK''s Kathua district.

"Riot control vehicles, water cannons and deployment ofCRPF and police personnel have been posted at all the entrypoints," the official said.

The JK government has already imposed section 144 of CrPCat Lakhanpur.