The discovery of Pakistani flags pasted on a busy stretch near Chandrabhaga bridge in Rishikesh late Saturday night triggered a wave of protests and confusion among local residents, only for police to later reveal that the act was part of a symbolic protest against the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
According to officials, the incident unfolded around 11 pm when concerned residents alerted authorities about the presence of Pakistani flags on the highway. The sight of the flags quickly drew a crowd, with locals raising slogans against Pakistan and demanding strict action in response to the deadly attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which has left the nation in mourning.
Rishikesh Circle Officer Sandeep Negi was quoted by TOI, “Locals informed us that some people were protesting against Pakistani flags found pasted on the highway. A police team soon rushed to the spot where it found some people raising slogans against Pakistan while demanding strict action in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.”
Initial confusion over the intent behind the flags was soon cleared up. “Upon further inquiry, it was later found that the flags had been placed by the protesters themselves as a symbolic act – intending for vehicles to run over them as a form of protest,” Negi explained to TOI. The act was meant to express public outrage against the terror attack, rather than to provoke or incite any communal tension.
Police officials dispersed the protesters and sent them home, choosing not to pursue any further investigation or file any cases in the matter. The situation was brought under control without any escalation and authorities have urged citizens to maintain peace and avoid actions that could be misinterpreted or cause unnecessary alarm.
The aftermath of the Pahalgam attack has also seen disturbing reports of violence and harassment. In Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, a 15-year-old Muslim boy was assaulted and forced to urinate on a Pakistani flag after allegedly picking it up from the road, a flag reportedly placed there by right-wing groups with “Pakistan Murdabad” written on it. The incident, caught on video, has gone viral and drawn widespread condemnation.
The outrage over the Pahalgam attack has not been confined to India. Members of the Indian diaspora staged protests in cities across the US, UK, France, Germany and other countries, demanding justice for the victims and calling for strong action against Pakistan.
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