Srinagar, Apr 13: Much to the relief of people, especially the traders of Lal Chowk here, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) bunker located at Palladium Cinema is being removed in a week’s time along with seven others from old Srinagar.
 The Palladium Cinema bunker would be the 43rd bunker being removed from Srinagar under the 8-point program announced by the Centre after the massive unrest of 2010.
 The shopkeepers, hotel owners and transporters have time and again appealed the state government for removal of bunker from the commercial hub of the city saying it was enough to scare away tourists, customers and even pedestrians. The bunker has been a target of militant attacks thereby unnecessarily risking the lives of people.
 The decision of removal of the bunker had been taken after deliberations between the government and the security agencies. It has also been decided that seven other bunkers would be removed from old Srinagar in a week’s time.
 Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Syed Ashiq Hussain Bukhari, told Greater Kashmir that process of removal of bunkers in Srinagar was going on at a fast pace. “The process is going on. In a week’s time Palladium Cinema bunker will be removed and Lal Chowk will be bunker-free:” he said.
 “The CRPF men stationed at the bunkers will be relocated to their headquarters located at Akhara building in Maisuma area,” he said.
 Nishat-based Inspector General (IG) CRPF, Administration, Dr Ravi Prakash, confirmed that Palladium Cinema bunker was being removed. “Yes the bunker will be removed soon along with some others in old Srinagar,” he said.
 Dr Ravi disclosed that eight company headquarters located in different parts of Srinagar would also be removed in near future. “There was drastic decline and more downward trend in militancy in Srinagar and scenario is totally different from previous years. The data related to militancy related incidents and prevailing situation allows the removal of more bunkers from Srinagar,” he said.
 The officer said that state government is arranging alternate accommodation for the personnel that are being relocated.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST