''BJP wants to disturb peace in Valley through flag gimmick''

Jammu, Jan 25 (PTI) Terming the BJP''s plan to hoist thenational flag at Srinagar''s Lal Chowk on Republic Day tomorrowas a "political gimmick", Jammu and Kashmir Chief MinisterOmar Abdullah today alleged that the opposition party wasattempting to disturb peace in the state when the stage wasset to address political issues.

"The tiranga yatra of BJP is a political gimmick. BJP isutilizing an abnormal situation in the Valley to thrive uponand carry forward its agenda of divisive policy for vote bankpolitics and petty political gains," Omar said here tonight.

"We are not in a normal situation. We have to be cautiousand wary of any mischief in the garb of anything. A singlespark could put the entire house on fire," he said.

Questioning why the BJP did not hoist the national flagat Lal Chowk when the party was in power, Omar said, "Theyhave shown no interest in such an activity since 1992 when DrMurli Manohar Joshi unfurled the national flag at Lal Chowkand that too upside down in a tight security bandobast".

The Chief Minister asked why no BJP leader showed anyinclination to hoist the tricolour in Chhattisgarh where, healleged, more people have died in actions related to naxalismthan in the Valley in recent times.

Omar said the state was "limping back to normalcy" afterfive months of an uncalm situation in the Valley during thelast summer and the government was determined to maintain lawand order.

He said maintenance of a peaceful situation in the statewas his responsibility and the prime concern of his governmentand all measures required to maintain law and order would beput in place even if "tough decisions" need to be taken. PTIAB