Srinagar: Security has been beefed up across Kashmir ahead of Independence Day celebrations as the forces intensified area domination, checking and frisking to ensure peaceful and smooth conduct of the event, officials said on Wednesday.
Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in strength at several places in the city and elsewhere in the Valley to thwart any attempts by terrorists to disrupt the celebrations, the officials said.
Policemen in plain clothes have been deployed around the venues of Independence Day functions to keep an eye on suspicious persons, they said.
Random searches of vehicles and frisking of people is also being carried out at several places in the Valley, they said.
The security forces have increased patrolling and area domination exercises, especially in the vulnerable areas and areas around the venues of the celebrations, they added.
The main Independence Day function will be held at the Bakshi Stadium here, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will preside over it, the officials said.
Sharpshooters have been deployed at all high-rise buildings around the stadium to prevent any untoward incidents. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have also been deployed, they said.
Human and technical surveillance is being used to ensure that the day passes off peacefully. Drones are being used for aerial surveillance, they added.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, V K Birdi, has said that multi-layered and robust security arrangements have been put in place across Kashmir for the peaceful and smooth conduct of the Independence Day celebrations.
“The Jammu and Kashmir Police always maintains robust security arrangements not just in Srinagar city, but across various districts of the valley. Multi-layered security arrangements are in place, not only at the specific venues, but also in the areas surrounding the city,” Birdi said on Tuesday.
Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg said all preparations have been made for the event.
“Preparations have been made for the Independence Day celebration at Bakshi Stadium, which has been our traditional venue for celebrations, and preparations are an ongoing process, whether it is rehearsals or security arrangements,” Garg told PTI Videos here.
He said the divisional administration has been working for the last one month to make sure that the arrangements are befitting to the national occasion and as per the expectations of the people.
“The chief minister will unfurl the national flag, and in view of that, our parade contingents are preparing very well, and approximately 30 contingents will be seen in the parade this time,” he said.
The divisional commissioner extended an invitation to the public to participate in the celebrations.
“I would appeal to everybody, especially our youth, our students, and our citizens, that they must definitely come to this August 15 event at Bakshi Stadium, and if you are in other different districts, then you should reach your respective district-level events there, and that also encourages the administration, and because these are the 80th celebrations of this national event, it is also a landmark moment for all of us,” he added.
