Security heightened ahead of Republic Day in Kashmir
Srinagar: A day ahead of Republic Day celebrations, elaborate security arrangements were made in Srinagar, where the Valley’s main function is to be held and also in other district headquarters.
The RD function in Srinagar will be held at Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium, Church Lane, Sonawar.
All the high rise buildings around the parade venue have been taken over by sharpshooters of the security forces, sources said, adding, policemen in civvies have been deployed around the venue to keep a close watch on any suspicious movement.
Makeshift drop gates, mobile checkposts, sniffer dogs and area domination exercises by the security forces were some of the major arrangements visible on the ground.
Drones have been deployed to provide aerial surveillance to the security forces, said the sources.
Vehicles plying on Srinagar city were randomly being checked and their occupants frisked at different places. Vehicles were also being checked on inter-district roads and in all the district headquarters, sources said.
The main RD function in J&K is being held at the Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu city where Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha will take salute.
Lt Governor’s Advisor, R.R. Bhatnagar will preside over the function here at Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar. The Mayors and the DDC chairpersons of the twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar shall attend the main functions in the respective cities.
The government has issued an order asking all its officers and those of public sector undertakings to attend the Republic Day functions as part of their duty.
Photo/Javed Khan
