Srinagar, Aug 13: Claiming that there were militants threats to disrupt the August 15 functions, the director-general of police, Kuldeep Khoda, on Thursday said foolproof security measures had been put in place to ensure their smooth conduct.
Besides placing sharp shooters on high rise buildings and dominant heights, police will be monitoring various areas through closed circuit cameras round-the-clock.
“There are threats from militants to disrupt the August 15 celebrations. We will ensure appropriate and foolproof security measures, including three-tier security blanket at the main parade venues,” the DGP told Greater Kashmir.
The DGP said the areas around the main parade venues at Srinagar and Jammu were being sanitized to depth. “We will be placing sharp shooters at the high rise buildings and dominant heights. In view of militant threats, we will ensure adequate security for other parade venues across the state.”
Pertinently, the security arrangements for the August 15 and January 26 functions, particularly during the past two decades, had become a source of inconvenience for the people. Though on the chief minister, Omar Abdullah’s directions, police claims to have eased up the restrictions, people term it as a mere slogan.
“We are being unnecessarily subjected to harassment in the name of security. The policemen and troopers even frisk the kids, women and aged and restrict our movement,” Abdul Rahim, a local resident, said.
Khoda said police was sensitive to the inconvenience to the people due to security measures. “We have taken upmost care that while the security arrangements are in force, the inconvenience to general public is minimized,” he said, adding lady police had been deployed at important places to ensure hassle-free movement of women citizens.
In view of the strike call given by various pro-freedom organisations, police has established a cell in the Police Control Room to provide assistance to the people. “We have kept PCRs available for any emergency services to the people because of the hartal call,” the DGP said.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened around the Bakshi Stadium and Parade Ground, the main venues for the August 15 functions respectively at Srinagar and Jammu to facilitate people’s participation.
Police and troopers have erected barricades and temporary frisking points across the Valley.
The inspector-general of police, Kashmir, Farooq Ahmad, said adequate security arrangement had been put in place for smooth conduct of August 15 functions. He said in view of the grenade blast at Sopur, police had intensified patrolling.
“We have passed standing directions to our personnel and CRPF to adopt people friendly attitude and measures to save the people from unnecessary inconvenience while maintaining security,” the IGP said.
The IGP sought cooperation from people. “People have to cooperate with us in maintaining the security. They should not feel harassed or offended if our personnel ask for their identity cards or search their vehicles. They should understand that these measures were necessary for their safety and security also,” the IGP said.
The IGP, however, maintained that there would be no compromise on security. “Restriction will be imposed wherever necessary. It is part of the security measures,” he added.
The SSP Srinagar, Reyaz Bedar, said there would be no restriction on movement of people. “We are expecting people to visit Bakshi Stadium so there will be no restriction on their movement. But vigil will be maintained across the city,”
Pertinently, police started night checking of vehicles at various places across the city and roads leading to other districts.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 IST