Zillar Barta Desk, Srinagar : Security was tightened across parts of Srinagar on Wednesday as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a protest march against the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. BJP leaders and workers assembled at Ghanta Ghar in Lal Chowk and marched towards the Civil Secretariat, where the party planned to stage a gherao.

Large numbers of police and security personnel were deployed in and around Lal Chowk and Jawahar Nagar to maintain law and order. Roads leading to the BJP office in Jawahar Nagar were sealed, while vehicle movement around Ghanta Ghar was restricted as a precautionary measure.

The BJP has accused the Omar Abdullah-led administration of failing to fulfil several electoral promises. The party has raised issues including unemployment, alleged corruption, recruitment and outsourcing of jobs, backdoor appointments and other concerns affecting the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.

The protest comes amid a planned counter-demonstration by the ruling National Conference (NC). The NC has announced plans to gather outside the BJP office and raise demands related to the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and accountability for commitments made by the Union government.

With both parties holding rival demonstrations in Srinagar, authorities have stepped up security arrangements to prevent any confrontation and ensure the situation remains peaceful.