Srinagar, Jan 22: In a run up to January 26 celebrations, policing has been intensified around Bakshi Stadium with cops seeking details of salesmen and traders in the marketplaces near the main venue for January 26 function in the summer capital.
 The shopkeepers at Maharaja Bazar said for the past few days the police had been inquiring about “credentials of the salesmen” and details of the shopkeepers.
 The police, as per the traders, while patrolling in the area asked them to jot down details of the shops, its owner and salesman if any, on a piece of paper, preferably a letterhead.
 “After around half an hour the police again came forward and carried the details along,” said a trader.
 “Even though it was inquiry done politely as there was no harassment by the cops, the move was something new in the past 20 years,” said a shopkeeper at Maharaja Bazar adding he was asked about the whereabouts of his salesman.
 A senior police official said such queries were a part of the security arrangements for the upcoming event.
 “We don’t want to take any chances so it’s a kind of an extra precaution aimed for public security,” said a police official adding that the cops have been instructed to deal politely with the civilians.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST