Security beefed up in Kashmir ahead of PM Modi's visit
The PM is scheduled to address a rally at Sher-e-Kashmir stadium in Sonwar here.
A senior police official told IBNS, the venue has been sanitized and a firm vigil is being maintained.
The rally venue is being kept under constant watch of security agencies.
“Forces have intensified patrolling and frisking across the Valley to thwart any attempt of rally disruption by militants,” a senior police Official told IBNS in Srinagar.
The forces have also started night patrolling in the city and they also carry searches of vehicles during nocturnal hours, the sources said.
Officials said that CCTVs had been installed at more than a dozen places.
The police have even setup a special control room headed by a senior police officer to monitor all vehicles coming into the city on Saturday.
Reports of security being beefed by forces have also been received from other parts of the Valley.
Sources said the police and security agencies have decided to seal the roads using barbed wires and poles leading to the SK Cricket Stadium from Friday.
The roads to the venue of Prime Minister’s rally will be made out of bounds for pedestrian and vehicular movement.
The government has already taken various preventive measures for the smooth conduct of the rally by detaining pro-freedom leaders and activists as they have called for a 'Million March' to counter Modi's rally.
Senior Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani called for a “Million March’ on same day at Tourist Reception Center in Srinagar and appealed all youths to join the rally.
The “Million March” was supported by all Hurriyat camps including Hurriyat APHC chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, JKLF Chief Yasin Mailk, Women separatist leader Aasiya Indarabi, Pakistan based militant groups including Lashkar-i-Toiba, Harkatul Mujahideen.
“To maintain law and problem we have arrested all separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmad Shah and Hilal War while Syed Ali Shah Geelani is under under house arrest to maintain peace and calm in the valley on Nov 07,” a senior police official said.
On Wednesday, the police detained Independent MLA and lawmaker Engineer Rashid in northern Kashmir when he was addressing various public meetings and urged people not to attend the rally of PM Modi and stage protests on that day.
(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)
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