Srinagar/Kupwara Jan 23: Just two days ahead of January 26, a high alert has been sounded in the summer capital while the Bakshi Stadium - the main venue of the official function in the Valley - and its neighbourhood has been turned into a garrison.
Policemen and paramilitary CRPF troopers have been deployed in every nook and corner of the city to prevent any untoward incident. They are also going for random crackdowns in the parts of the city especially the uptown areas including Lal Chowk, Hari Singh Sigh Street, Batmaloo, Lal Mandi and Gogji Bagh where civilians are being made to stand in queues and asked to produce identity cards. Police has placed barricades and armoured vehicles on the roads leading to Bakshi Stadium - the venue of the parade - even as close circuit television cameras are being used for surveillance in these areas. Night vigil has also been increased in and around the city.
“A high alert has already been sounded. But there is a special focus in and around Bakshi Stadium. We are keeping a close watch on the persons entering or leaving the area,” Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar, Javed Riyaz Bedar said.
The SSP said special police teams have been deputed to look for the hidden explosives in the area. Police is also conducting searches in the residential and commercial areas around the Stadium.
Unlike the past, the SSP said, the civilian movement in the area won’t be restricted. “We will allow civilian movement but only after proper searching and frisking,” he added.

NORTH KASHMIR
Policemen and troopers have virtually choked the militancy, infested areas in north Kashmir ahead of January 26.
Forces are on high alert in the militancy infested areas of Rajwar, Lolab, and Kralpora in frontier district of Kupwara.
“Vehicles entering into the main towns from these areas are being searched at multiple points,” locals said.
A senior police official said the “biggest worries” for the security agencies were the low snowfall and favourable weather conditions. “Due to low snowfall militants are moving easily in the upper reaches,” he added.
“Three days back SOG Srinagar on specific input about presence of JeM commander, cordoned off Ringpit area in Kralgund, but militants managed to escape before the cordon was laid,” an official said.
When contacted Deputy Inspector General of Police, north Kashmir, A Q Manhas said, “Searches are a normal routine ahead of Jan 26.”

Lastupdate on : Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST