KO Photo: Abid Bhat
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir administration on Saturday imposed strict restrictions in Srinagar and other major towns across Kashmir for the smooth peaceful and conduct of Independence Day functions.
Here in Srinagar, thousands of CRPF personnel and policemen armed with automatic weapons and riot gear guarded the deserted streets, lanes and by lanes to foil any possible protest or a militant attack, reports said. Public and private transport was also off on all the major roads and highways across the Valley. Those carrying bureaucrats and armed forces were only vehicles seen plying on the roads in this capital city.
Lal Chowk, the commercial hub of the city was out of bounds for civilians after all the roads leading to the city centre were blocked with barricades and concertina wire.
Many roads leading to the Old City were also blocked by the forces with razor wire. Forces had also sealed off all roads, lanes and by lanes in several parts of the downtown with spools of concertina wire, witnesses said.
“Besides it, armored vehicles were placed at many intersections to foil any militant strike or demonstrations. At every lane and by lane, alert troopers were seen holding light machine guns,” Abdur Rashid Dar, a resident of Nowhatta said.
Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, the main venue of I-day function, where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha unfurled tricolour, was turned into a fortress by CRPF troops and police with three tier security around it. Besides the Stadium, troops and police had sealed off all the roads leading to the venue with barricades and spools of razor wire.
According to the reports, sniffer dogs and sharp shooters had also been pressed into service to thwart any possible militant attack to disrupt the August-15 celebrations. Besides it, the activities around the venue were also closely monitored through the CCTV’s and Drones.
On Friday, an attack by Jaish-e-Muhammad militants left two policemen dead and another injured in Nowgam area of the city outskirts prompting intensified security measures.
Meanwhile, reports of restrictions were also received from other parts of the Valley.
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