Srinagar, Jan 16: Upping the security in the wake of recent militant attacks and in run-up to January 26 celebrations, the police on Saturday conducted cordon and search operations in the City centre of Lal Chowk. Nobody was detained, the police said.
 The police assisted by paramilitary CRPF troops cordoned off the area and asked the civilians to make queues for frisking and I-Card checking.
 The traffic to the busy market came to a halt till the siege ended.
 Officials said the crackdown was in line with the directives from the higher ups to step up vigil in view of the increasing militant strikes and nearing January 26.
 “This is being done as preventive and precautionary measures after the spurt in the grenade attacks and shootouts,” Senior Superintendent of Police, Javed Riyaz Bedar said.
 The shopkeepers and traders in the City centre however, see a different solution to the militant strikes.
 They demand the removal of the CRPF camp from the erstwhile Palladium cinema, which they say is the prime target in the area.
 “If this camp is removed from this place, the problem will be over for both police as well as for the shopkeepers who often suffer damages due to blasts and gun battles,” said a shopkeeper.
 Meanwhile, in other busy marketplaces including Dalgate, Hari Singh High Street and Batmaloo, troops could be seen frisking.
 The SSP said the main focus of the police would be on busy marketplaces. “We want to prevent these attacks in these places. Also this may help us in the arrest of suspects,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 17 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST