Abid Bashir
Srinagar, Aug 13: For the first time, there was an ease in frisking operations across Srinagar city ahead of the Independence Day even as J&K’s security grid is on a highest level of alert to ensure peaceful conduct of all official functions on August 15.
Reliable sources said that Srinagar city witnessed ease in frisking operations for the first time even though the main venue of Bakshi Stadium has already been fortified by the security agencies especially police and special security guards (SSGs). “We felt there was almost zero frisking in Srinagar for the first time. People were moving around the city freely without any hassle,” said Ghulam Qadir, a shopkeeper at Lal Chowk.
Police sources said that ease in frisking was in the wake of improvement in the overall security situation. They said the main venue Bakshi Stadium has been fortified and sharp shooters have been deployed to the nearby buildings. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will unfurl the tri-colour at the Bakshi Stadium while as his advisor RR Bhatnagar will take salute of the parade at Moulana Azad Stadium Jammu.
Talking to reporters at Bakshi Stadium after a full-dress rehearsal, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir V K Bhirdi said that police were fully aware of the recent terror activities in Kashmir. “We have put in place a compact security plan to ensure all official functions of August 15 pass peacefully,” he said, adding that the security grid is alert to foil all “nefarious designs.”
Present on the occasion, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vidhi Kumar Bhiduri said that there is a great enthusiasm among the children and people. “There is an open entry for all on August 15. Only thing is that people need to keep cigarettes at home and reach the venue early to be seated in time,” he said.
In Jammu, elaborate security arrangements are in place as well to prevent any untoward incident in the wake of recent terror attacks in the Doda, Kishtwar and Reasi districts. A police official said that police, army and Central forces maintain “highest level of alertness” in Jammu especially in the areas where recent terror attacks were reported. “Our endeavour is to ensure peaceful conduct of Independence Day across the division,” he said without elaborating further. Meanwhile, police sources said that Moulana Azad stadium in Jammu has been sealed and a multi-layer security grid has been put in place to prevent any disruption by the anti-peace elements.
