Next time you park your vehicle or a two-wheeler outside aforces’ camp in Kashmir, think twice!
As part of a slew of security measures being taken in thewake of Pulwama suicide bomb attack that left at least 40 central reservepolice force (CRPF) personnel dead last month, security agencies have decidednot to allow parking of four wheelers and two wheelers outside securityinstallations—army camps, police stations and CRPF camps—along the highway andelsewhere “for security reasons”.
Witnesses said forces personnel deployed at main gates oftheir camps in Srinagar and elsewhere didn’t allow them to park their vehiclesin front of the gates.
“I had to pick my father who was waiting for me outsideBadamibagh army headquarters. The moment I stopped my car, at least foursoldiers blew their whistles and directed me to get going,” said Javaid Ahmed,a resident of Athwajan, Srinagar.
“It was a frightening sight. I moved ahead and called myfather to walk a few miles so that I can pick him up at ease”.
Following the February 14 attack, all security installationsin Srinagar and elsewhere are maintaining a high alert to thwart any otherpossible bid by militants to carry out another strike, according to officials.A witness said no vehicle was allowed to be parked outside district policelines Srinagar that houses the offices of Kashmir range inspector general ofpolice and senior superintendent of police Srinagar.
Along the highways, especially in areas of Srinagar,Anantnag and Pulwama, several witnesses said intense frisking of vehiclesespecially those travelling on the motorbikes was being carried out by forces.
Many passengers travelling in ‘Sumo’ cabs alleged harassmentby forces in the name of frisking.
“We were travelling from Anantnag to Srinagar. Our vehiclewas stopped at many places along the highway, and the forces abused the driverof the vehicle,” alleged Imtiyaz Ahmed, a commuter. Similar measures were putin place along the Srinagar-Baramulla highway, according to commuters.
A police official said heightened security measures havebeen taken after the Pulwama attack.
“It is part of the standard operating procedure (SOP) tomaintain an extra level of alertness as there are always apprehensions thatmilitants may strike again,” he said, wishing not to be named.
A CRPF official said the (security) measures taken by forces”are actually for the safety of the general public.”
“Keeping civilians away from the forces’ camps is part ofour strategy to avoid civilian causalities during militant attacks. We seekpublic cooperation in this regard,” the officer said, wishing not to be namedas he wasn’t authorised to speak to media.
“Alert sentry will not allow parking of any private orpublic vehicle outside any CRPF camp. He will issue warnings by blowing hiswhistle and if the person continues to ignore repeated warnings, the sentry canopen fire if suspicion increases,” the official said.
Pertinently, union home minister Rajnath Singh during hisvisit to Srinagar day after the Pulwama attack sought people’s cooperation inhalting movement of civilian vehicles while the forces’ convoys move along thehighways.