Kathua, January 22, 2023: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi resumed the Jammu and Kashmir leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Hiranagar in Kathua district on Sunday morning amid heightened security arrangements following twin explosions in Jammu city the previous day.
The march resumed at around 7 am after a scheduled day-long break. Security forces had sealed sections of the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway to ensure the safety of participants and maintain security along the route.
Rahul Gandhi was accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Vikar Rasool Wani, working president Raman Bhalla and hundreds of party workers and volunteers carrying the national flag.
Heavy Security Deployment Along the Route
Security arrangements were strengthened across the region following two explosions reported in Jammu's Narwal area on January 21, 2023. The blasts left nine people injured and prompted authorities to increase surveillance and security measures.
Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and other security agencies were deployed along the yatra route. Officials said adequate arrangements had been made to ensure that the march proceeded peacefully.
The Jammu-Pathankot highway was placed under strict security monitoring, with traffic and public movement regulated in sensitive areas.
Yatra Enters Samba District
After starting from Hiranagar, Rahul Gandhi and the other participants crossed the Londi checkpoint at approximately 8 am and entered the Samba district area near Tapyal-Gagwal.
Congress supporters and local residents gathered along the roadside to welcome the marchers. Several people were seen waving party flags and the national Tricolour as the procession moved forward.
The day's programme included covering approximately 25 kilometres, with a scheduled night halt in the Samba district.
Meetings with Local Delegations
During the day's programme, Rahul Gandhi was also scheduled to interact with representatives of different groups. According to the original report, he was expected to meet 16 delegations from the district.
The interactions formed part of the broader outreach activities associated with the Bharat Jodo Yatra, which aimed to connect with people from different communities and backgrounds.
Bharat Jodo Yatra's Final Jammu and Kashmir Leg
The Bharat Jodo Yatra began in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, on September 7, 2022. After travelling through several states, the march entered Jammu and Kashmir from Punjab on January 19, 2023.
The Jammu and Kashmir leg was the final phase of the nationwide foot march. The Congress had planned to conclude the campaign in Srinagar on January 30, 2023, with Rahul Gandhi scheduled to hoist the national flag at the party headquarters.
The yatra eventually concluded in Srinagar on January 29, 2023, after covering more than 3,500 kilometres across the country.
The march from Hiranagar to Samba took place under heightened security, reflecting the challenges of organising a large political procession in a sensitive border region.