Fear looms as Omar unfurls tricolor today

Srinagar: Fear pervaded almost all walks of life as the Jammu and Kashmir government finalized preparations to celebrate 68th Independence Day of India.

Militant attacks in Pampore, skirmishes at the Line of Control and protests by sections of youth against the school and college diktats to participate in the function served as a threatening backdrop to the largely official celebrations.

Life, however, dulled due to heightened alertness among security forces who appeared angrier at the sights of Pakistani flags having been draped around the historical clock tower and the fences of Pratap Park.

Meanwhile, security across Srinagar was heightened on Thursday with police and paramilitary forces frisking people and checking vehicles at different places , especially at the entry and exit points of the city. The key celebrations would be held at Bakhshi Stadium where Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will unfurl the tricolor on Friday, that marks the 68th Independence Day of India.     

A police officer said the security was intensified after highway attack on police party, near Galandar Pampore, which left two policemen and a civilian dead.

“A three-tier security blanket has been thrown around Bakshi Stadium, the main venue of the August 15 celebrations,” the officer said. “15 battalions of CRPF would be additionally deployed for the day.”

CCTV cameras and sniffing dogs have also been pressed into service for surveillance purposes. The police have laid concertina wires and erected barricades on roads running parallel to Bakshi Stadium.

Both factions of Hurriyat Conference have called for a general strike on August 15.

Amid tight security in Srinagar city, unidentified persons unfurled Pakistani flag near Pratap and Raj Bagh Srinagar. A police official said that the authorities had taken note of these incidents and a formal case would be registered against the miscreants.

Reports said that large contingent of police and Para-military forces had been also deployed in Old Srinagar city to thwart any kind of protest. “The situation in old city is normal. We have not detained any youth from any part of the old Srinagar city,” he said.

As Pakistan celebrated its Independence Day, a Pakistani flag was placed on the iron fence of Pratap Park in Lal Chowk near Press Enclave in Srinagar city by activists of Dukhtaran-i-Millat .

GNS quoted official sources saying that on the eve of Pakistan’s Independence Day, two girl activists of DeM who were wearing hijab appeared in Lal Chowk near Press enclave carrying Pakistani flags in their hands.

Sources said that the girls later placed the flag on the iron fence opposite to the Abi Guzar Lane which immediately caught the attention of the media persons.

Soon after the girls placed the flag on the fence and subsequently fled from the area. In the meantime, police rushed to the spot and removed the flag.

“Some unknown persons had placed the flags on the fence,” said a local police officer.

He said the incident should not be seen as any major breach of law and order.

He said that the flag was not hoisted as is being reported. It was placed on the fence of the park by some pedestrians,” he said.

Incidentally, the spot where the Pakistani flags were put up is under constant watch of police and security agencies. In fact, intelligence sleuths also keep an eye on the place.

Similarly, a Pakistani flag was hoisted and was accordingly removed by police at old Barzullah in Outskirt’s of Srinagar city.

Meanwhile, at least two Pakistani flags were hoisted at Hajin area of Sumbal in north Kashmiri’s Bandipora district, sources said, adding that all the flags were immediately removed by the police.

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