Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir police on Sunday said that PDP’s youth convention was disallowed in view of the Covid-19 and security situation and keeping in view credible inputs of vehicle bound IEDs being used to target civilians and high security installations.
In a statement, issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), a police spokesperson said that since the Gupkar Road houses high security buildings of various organizations, security sensitive establishments and intelligence agencies, allowing such a large of people along with vehicle into high security zone was not advisable, which is why the convention was not allowed.
He also said that the reports of Mehbooba Mufti being under house were completely false, however, local administration had advised PDP to apply for holding this convention in a more open area in view of Covid-19 and security reasons.
The statement reads that it was learnt that PDP was scheduled to hold a Youth Convention at Fairview, a government bungalow which is also the residence of Mehbooba Mufti, on Gupkar Road and gathering of at least 1000 people was expected.
“Given the prevalent Covid situation and larger security implications resulting from allowing such a large number of people and accompanying cars and vehicles into a high security zone, it was not advisable to allow such a large flow of people and unchecked vehicles,” it reads.
It reads that there are credible inputs of vehicle bound IEDs being used to target civilians and high security installations. “The Gupkar Road houses high security buildings of various organizations and security sensitive establishments and intelligence agencies. Allowing large number of vehicles to be parked in this high security zone would have jeopardized the security in the area.”
The statement reads that it is pertinent to mention that no such gatherings and amassing of vehicles were allowed on the road earlier too. “Moreover, no official residence has been known to have hosted large political rallies on Gupkar Road in the recent past.”
It reads that the legal orders for necessary restrictions on the convention were passed by the Executive Magistrate, South Srinagar keeping in mind the COVID protocol and security sensitiveness of Gupkar zone. (KNS)
