Kashmir faces security hassles ahead of August 15

Frisking intensified; Vigil on Bakshi Stadium

Srinagar, Aug 13: Security was beefed up across Kashmir Wednesday, especially in the summer capital Srinagar, ahead of August 15 functions. A multi-tier security cover has been put in place at Bakshi Stadium here—the main venue for the I-Day function—where the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would unfurl the tri-colour and take the salute. 

This will be the last official function of the present National Conference-Congress regime as the term of the government ends on January 5, 2015. According to eye-witnesses, frisking operations were intensified across Srinagar throughout the day, especially at its major entry and exit points. At Pantha Chowk on the city outskirts, dozens of vehicles were seen in a queue with policemen searching them one by one. Similar was the scene in Lal Chowk, Jehangir Chowk, Dalgate, Nigeen, Nishat, Batamaloo and other areas of the city, with police and paramilitary CRPF men stopping and searching vehicles, causing huge inconvenience to people.
At Bakshi Stadium, a multi-tier security set-up has been put in place to ensure smooth conduct of the official function. Residential houses adjacent to it have been occupied by policemen two days ahead, causing terrible inconvenience to locals.
“We have been directed to keep a tight vigil (on the Stadium) to thwart any possible attack by the militants on August 15,” said a police official standing guard in a residential house adjacent to venue.
Police sources said elaborate security arrangements are in place to ensure incident-free function. A special security team Wednesday conducted a drill inside the Stadium with the help of sniffer dogs and a special bomb disposal squad. Sources said similar security arrangements have been put in place at various district headquarters where ministers of the ruling coalition would unfurl the tri-colour and also take the salute. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Rohit Kansal took a salute of the full-dress rehearsal at the Bakhshi Stadium in presence of senior police and civil administration officers Wednesday. He also took the stock of the situation in and around the venue.

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