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Why have a clock tower at Lal Chowk? 5/16/2015 11:00:47 PM Early Times Report Jammu, May 16: 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 it's `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 the 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. Another group had plans to hoist the tricolor at the clock tower today (May 16). However, it was suspended as senior government functionaries and politicians believed it will trigger violent clashes in the city. Had the organizers went ahead with the arch and had the authorities allowed hoisting the tricolor, what would have changed? Responding to the question, a senior police officer preferring anonymity said some elements in Kashmir have been hoisting the Pakistan flag since 1947. "The flags have not made Kashmir a part of Pakistan," he said. The suspension of today's march reflects a harsh reality about Kashmir. Notwithstanding the tall claims of the government that the situation in Kashmir had taken a favourable turn, the fact of the matter is that the hoisting tricolor is perceived as a problem even by the government. A question arises. Why have 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.   Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network     Comment on this Story

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