Frisking Intensified in Srinagar Ahead of Jan 26

Police officials said multiple layer security arrangements have been placed in and around the venue and the area is under continuous CCTV surveillance.

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SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir administration has tightened the security in the erstwhile state ahead of January 26 “celebrations” in the Kashmir valley and deployed additional troops at various places, officials said.

The government forces have increased their presence in various parts of the valley particularly the capital city Srinagar where the forces have established additional “security checkpoints” and have increased the frisking of the vehicles.

In Kashmir, the main January 26 function will be held at SK cricket stadium, where the advisor to the LG, RR Bhatnagar, will hoist the tricolour. 

Police officials said multiple layer security arrangements have been placed in and around the venue and the area is under continuous CCTV surveillance. The officials said that makeshift bunkers have been established in Srinagar to ensure smooth January 26 celebrations.

A police officer said that all the high-rise buildings around the main venue of the functions in Srinagar have been occupied by sharpshooters of the police and paramilitary CRPF to prevent any untoward incident.

“There is ground surveillance and there will be aerial surveillance,” he said, adding that both human and technical means will be used to ensure incident-free Republic Day celebrations.

Armed personnel and cops in civvies have been deployed around the Republic Day function venue to keep an eye on suspicious persons. The commuters travelling on roads and highways in and around Srinagar were being thoroughly frisked and their identity asked.

A senior official of the Divisional Administration said that all arrangements have been finalized in Kashmir including around venues where the officials of the administration will hoist Indian national flag or the tricolour.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, said that all security arrangements have been put in place and that forces will ensure peaceful conduct of January 26 functions in Srinagar and other district headquarters of Valley.

“Police, army, and CRPF have conducted security drills including area domination, drone surveillance in Srinagar and district headquarters for past one week. All sensitive areas have been covered and we will ensure peaceful Republic Day in Srinagar and all district headquarters,” the IGP said while speaking to media persons at SK Stadium on the side-lines of the full-dress rehearsal parade ahead of January 26 (Republic Day).

Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir PK Pole said that all arrangements for the parade have been put in place. “Today, I have reviewed a full-dress rehearsal and every arrangement has been reviewed. As far as security arrangements, there seems to be no issue as security forces including police and CRPF have been busy with area domination for past one week,” he said, adding that all January 26 functions will be held peacefully in Kashmir while following Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) in spirit.