Aam Aadmi Party on Monday alleged that local officials “snatched” the tricolour during its ‘Jhadu chalao-beiman bhagao yatra’ in a village in Amethi. The allegation was denied by the administration.
“The local administration, including the sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM) and Circle Officer (CO), of Amethi had snatched the tricolour at Thengha village during the ‘jhadu chalao-beiman bhagao yatra’ undertaken by AAP leader Kumar Vishwas,” Pankaj Shukla, an AAP activist who is managing the yatra told PTI.
The SDM R. D. Ram refuted the allegation and said they had received complaints that the national flag was being used in a disrespectful manner. “So we have asked them not to use the flag in such a way. We have also asked Mr.Vishwas and his supporters to seek permission from the administration before using any vehicle in the yatra as Section 144 was already enforced here since February 15 last for next 40 days due to festivals and implementation of model code of conduct,” Mr.Ram told PTI.
Mr. Ram also said that on Tuesday AAP representatives have been asked to attend a meeting by the District Magistrate, where they would be briefed on what they can do and what they can not.