A police investigation was ordered on Monday after the national tricolour fell off the post when Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tried to hoist it at Bakshi stadium in Srinagar.
It was a major embarrassment for Mufti, who presided over the state's Independence Day celebration for the first time as the chief minister. When she pulled the string attached to the poll to hoist the flag, instead of unfurling the flag fell.
In a damage control effort, two officials in Mufti's security detail held the flag in their hands until the chief minister gave the ceremonial salute to the flag. After Mufti left the stage, security officials, put the flag back up and hoisted it atop the post.
Angry over the incident, Mufti has ordered strict action against police officers who oversaw the arrangements of the event.
According to reports, Director General of Police has ordered a high-level probe by Special DG into the incident.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah slammed Mufti over the incident, saying now she will find someone else to blame for this deeply embarrassing incident.
Now @MehboobaMufti will have to find someone to blame for failing to hoist the 🇮🇳 in Srinagar since nothing is ever her fault.
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) August 15, 2016
In the backdrop of the continuing unrest in the valley, Mufti in her maiden Independence Day speech, appealed to the youth of the state not to be misled by vested interests who want to keep the valley burning and maintained that dialogue is the only way to resolve issues.
