Tight security across Valley for R-Day

Srinagar: Surprise checks, rampant crack downs continued in this summer capital on Monday in run up to the January 26 celebrations.

Reports and officials told a police and troops today further intensified the security apparatus in Srinagar and other districts of the valley to prevent any possible militant attacks and to ensure trouble free January 26 celebrations across the valley in view of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) flag hoisting plan on the historic Ganta Ghar on January 26.

Strict security arrangements were put in place in and around the Bakshi Stadium, the main venue of the January 26 celebrations in the valley. A heavy posse of police and CRPF troops this morning laid a siege around the complex and prevented people from passing through the roads leading to the venue. Police had also erected barricades and armored vehicles around the venue to thwart any attempt by militants to disrupt the celebrations.

The forces have also collected the information about the occupants in the residential houses adjacent to the Bakshi Stadium. Several hotels situated around the main venue are also under scanner.

“A police team came to the hotel last morning and collected the details of the occupants. They also asked us to furnish the details of tourists, including foreigners,” said an hotelier, wishing not to be named.

Bomb disposal squad and the sharp shooters have also been pressed into service to keep a close watch on the movement of the people. The activities in this capital city are also being closely monitored through the CCTV’s that are placed in many areas of the city.

Security around vital installations has also been beefed up apprehending militant attacks to disrupt the January 26 celebrations

Security on the January 26 has also been strengthened in other parts of the city particularly Lal Chowk and its adjoining areas, where right-wing BJP has announced to hoist tricolor. The street vendors have also been ordered not to display their goods for the next two days.

A heavy posse of policemen equipped with sophisticated arms and bullet proof gear has been deployed at Ganta Ghar, Jehangir Chowk, Budshah Chowk, Maisuma, Hari Singh High Street, SK Park, Dalgate and other areas of the city to prevent any untoward incident.

In Jammu, the winter capital, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah chaired a high level meeting to discuss the security related issues in view of the BJP’s flag hoisting plan.

Meanwhile security has also been beefed up in other towns and district headquarters of the valley.

Correspondent from North Kashmir said that troops and police conducted surprise checks and identification parade of people in twin districts of Baramulla and Kupwara to ensure trouble free celebrations tomorrow.

In Baramulla and Sopore, police and troops were seen carrying out searches of all the passenger and private vehicles on the Kupwara-Baramulla and Baramulla-Srinagar highway. Surprise checks were also carried out at Khwaja bagh, Narbal, Pattan and Sangrama areas of the district.

Reports of heightened security were also received from Pulwama, Shopian and Islamabad districts of South Kashmir, where troops and police manned the streets and the highway to keep a close watch on the movement of suspicious persons.

Both factions of Hurriyat Conference, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) parallel groups have given a strike call to protest the January 26 celebrations in the state.