IGP Kashmir orders strict vigil, strong security ahead of festivals

Irfan Yattoo
Srinagar: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir V K Birdi on Wednesday directed officers to maintain strict vigil, strengthen security arrangements, and ensure effective crowd management during upcoming religious festivals across the Kashmir Valley.
The directions were issued during a high-level security review meeting chaired by the IGP Birdi at the Police Control Room (PCR) in Srinagar to assess preparedness for major festivals expected in the coming weeks.
According to officials, the meeting reviewed arrangements for events including Shab-e-Barat, Navratri, Eid-ul-Fitr and Nowruz.
These festivals typically witness large gatherings at shrines, mosques, temples and other religious sites across Kashmir, prompting authorities to intensify security and traffic management measures.
Officials said IGP Birdi emphasised the need for enhanced security arrangements to ensure public safety and maintain law and order during the festive period.
He directed district police chiefs to implement comprehensive crowd management plans to prevent overcrowding at major religious places and ensure the smooth conduct of events.
The IGP also instructed officers to regulate entry and exit points at prominent shrines and places of worship, deploy security personnel at strategic locations, and install barricades wherever necessary.
Police officials said officers were also asked to coordinate closely with local community leaders and shrine management committees to facilitate orderly gatherings.
“Large religious congregations require coordinated planning and effective crowd control measures to avoid any untoward incident,” an official present in the meeting said.
IGP Birdi also directed security agencies to step up vigilance across the Valley by conducting random checks at sensitive locations and increasing security patrols in both urban and rural areas.
Security forces have been asked to monitor vulnerable areas closely and ensure quick response systems are in place during the festival period.
Senior officers from multiple security agencies attended the meeting, including officials from the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, CID, traffic police and other wings of the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Officials said the meeting reviewed district-wise preparedness and stressed close coordination between different agencies to ensure peaceful celebrations across the Valley.
Authorities said security planning will continue to be reviewed in the coming days as the festivals approach and crowd movement patterns become clearer.