Tight security in JK ahead of Aug 15 day celebrations

Srinagar: Just ahead of the August Day, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have beefed up security arrangements at various places in order to ensure peaceful celebrations.
The Independence Day main function in Srinagar will be held at the Sheri Kashmir cricket Stadium. In 2017, the Independence Day celebration was held at the Bakshi Stadium, where the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti had unfurled the tricolor.
However this time, Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium Sonwar will host the I-Day function as the traditional venue Bakshi Stadium is being renovated. Earlier this year, Republic-Day function was also held at the stadium.
“There is renovation work going on in Bakshi Stadium. It was not possible to hold parade there,” One of the top officials of the Divisional administration said.
Since the venue for the parade has been changed, the security forces have been asked to keep extra vigil to ensure fool-proof and incident-free Independence Day function in Kashmir.
“We have reviewed security situation in the PCR. 15 August will be celebrated with great fervor. All arrangements have been made and its details can’t be shared,” said one of the top police officials of the police.
Sources said that a massive security blanket has been thrown around Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium to sanitize the venue. Additional forces have been deployed to ensure foolproof security of the venue. Technology too has been used to keep a tight vigil in and around the venue.
Police said that security across the valley too has been beefed up with police and security forces setting up additional nakas at different places to keep militants and other anti-national elements at bay.
A police official said a huge number of security men have been deployed at various important functional areas in the other districts including the Jammu region. “The venues have also been sealed” the official added.
Sources said that Police, paramilitary forces have intensified patrolling. Vehicle checking has also been intensified and pedestrians are being frisked. People are also being asked for their identity cards.
Sources said that senior police officers have been assigned the job of monitoring the suspicious movement in the city.
“Sharp shooters on the top of various buildings in different areas around the stadium will be put in place for security reasons to stop any untoward incident,” sources said.
In Srinagar policemen joined by CRPF troopers had erected almost various points to carry out the search of the people and the vehicles. Vehicles coming from other districts were being checked at Parimpora, Bemina, Qamrwari and other places.
Security has also been beefed up in north Kashmir areas of Sopore, Kupwara, Baramulla Bandipora and Handwara. Army also carried out checking of vehicles in different areas.
Pulwama, Shopian, Islamabad (Anantnag) and Kulgam districts of south Kashmir also witnessed tight security.
The security measures to thwart any designs of militants to create trouble on two major events of national importance Independence Day and Republic Day have remained the top concern of the police forces and other security agencies ever since the eruption of the armed militancy in 1989-90 in the state.
Meanwhile sources said that the Jammu and Kashmir Police has issued an advisory about impending threats from militants in view of the forthcoming Independence Day and asked people to remain alert.