SRINAGAR: Amid heightened security, the government forces Saturday intensified frisking across Kashmir ahead of Republic Day on January 26. The security has been further tightened in view of US president Barak Obamas visit to New Delhi.
Hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in the capital city and they were seen conducting thorough frisking of civilians, checking private and public vehicles as well as motorcycles throughout the day.
The security men have established dozens of checkpoints across the city while armoured vehicles have also been placed at sensitive junctions.
In Lal Chowk, the commercial hub of the region, additional numbers of forces men were deployed sensitive locations while paramilitary troopers were also seen on the top floors of several buildings adjacent to Clock Tower and Palladium Cinema, which houses a bunker of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
The forces men conducted frisking of vehicles entering City at Pantha Chowk, Parimpora and Bemina, reports said.
The security men also conducted frisking of vehicles in Old City parts, locals said.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of Full dress rehearsal in Bakshi Stadium, the Inspector General of Police Kashmir Range, Abdul Gani Mir, said tight security arrangements have been made across the Valley.
The Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar is the main venue for Republic Day Celebrations. All the roads leading to the Stadium would be sealed on Monday. The sharpshooters have already taken position in high rise buildings around the Stadium.
The authorities on Saturday morning had closed down the road leading to Bakshi Stadium from Rambagh in the uptown City in view of Rehearsal. The restrictions over vehicular movement was lifted in the noon, a passenger bus driver told GNS.
The security in other parts of the valley has been beefed up particularly around the venues where Republic Day celebrations would be held, police said.
The militants in the past have carried out several high profile attacks to disrupt Republic Day celebrations. The forces, this time, are taking extra-precaution following President Obamas scheduled visit on January 26 to the New Delhi.
All the pro-freedom and militant groups have called for shutdown on Republic Day in Kashmir.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
