Srinagar, July 19: Even if many areas of Srinagar got relief after the bunkers were removed last year, there are some places in the City where these installations still act as “irritant” for the residents.
 Around 39 “strategically” located bunkers have already been removed from the Srinagar, especially in Old City. However there are still many bunkers and camps located in different areas of City which apart from causing inconvenience to the people, have allegedly encroached upon roadsides.
 The paramilitary CRPF has occupied the pavement on a roadside at city’s Karanagar. Apart from laying concertina wires, they have also erected barricades and check post to regulate the traffic and public movement to the interiors of the locality.
 “We are facing a real problem. Whosoever comes and goes out of the locality has to cross wires, barricades and check post,” a resident of Karanagar, Aaliya Ahmad said. “Especially our children have to face problem. These tools of occupation have got imprinted on their psyche. I am really scared what would happen when they grow up in such an environment”.
 Similarly, the barricades are being laid on the road near Kahkashan hotel at Khanyar.
 “During nights it’s very difficult to pass through the road passing near the hotel,” Shabir Kotroo, a mini bus driver said. “The CRPF puts on barricades and regulates the traffic. Whenever a vehicle comes out of the camp, they stop the vehicles from both the sides”.
 In Ikhwan Chowk – the CRPF which has occupied Ikhwan hotel---- blocks the MA link road with barricades during the night hours.
 “The road remains out of bound for traffic,” a resident said. “If there is emergency, people have to take turns and shorter routes because of its closure.”
 The concertina wires and barricades also create impediments for traffic and people at Nallahmar road and to Rajouri Kadal.
 A concrete bunker at Chinakara Mohalla is also causing trouble for the denizens of that place.
 “During night, the CRPF erect hurdles and do not allow traffic on one tube. If there are strikes, then nobody dares to venture through that road even during daytime,” a resident said.
 In most of the places, the hurdles and the bunkers/posts have been created by the CRPF after illegally encroaching upon the government land.
 The road running along the flood channel which connects the Jawahar Nagar with the Rambagh hosts two concrete residential bunkers. The bunkers apart from clearly encroaching upon the roads have created hurdles for vehicular traffic.
 “During day the traffic is regulated by erecting steel barricades,” a resident of Jawahir Nagar, Abdul hamid said. “At night they stretch concertina wire and block the road. The passengers have to disembark from the vehicle, clear the road, and then again stretch it. Other people also have to follow the same suit.”
 The residents said the municipality department, who has been entrusted seal the illegal constructions, is acting like mute spectator.
 “The CRPF and police raised the illegal concrete structure and blocked half the road, no government agency took action against them,” the residents of Jawahir Nagar said.
 The residents who live in the vicinity of bunkers in Srinagar said their mere presence is an “invasion of privacy”.
 “What would happen if there is emergency and roads are blocked,” said an annoyed resident of Babdemb Srinagar, Ashiq Ahmad.
 The people also said the bunker presence in particular locality always invites trouble.
 “There is always an apprehension of a militant attack. The protesters also target the bunkers,” said a 28 year old youth, Zahid Hameed of Ikhwan Chowk.
  “If they say militancy is over in Srinagar. Then why they need bunkers and check posts in Srinagar?” he questioned.
 There are 55 battalions of CRPF deployed in the Kashmir valley for law and order purpose.
 Minister of State for Home, Nasir Sogami could not be reached despite repeated attempts. 

Lastupdate on : Tue, 19 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST