Masroor Ahmad
Srinagar: Security has been stepped up in Kashmir valley ahead of 77th Independence Day, the main function will be held at Bakhshi Stadium Srinagar, where administration is working on making fool-proof security arrangements in and around the venue to ensure hassle free celebrations of the function.
Security agencies across Kashmir has been heightened and frisking and speculative search operations have also started.
Police sources said that security arrangements were tightened across Kashmir to fail any untoward incident during the Independence Day celebrations.
The officials said that a random search of vehicles besides checking and frisking of people, was being carried out at several places across the valley.
Besides Srinagar City, the security forces also intensified frisking in other areas of J&K, especially at various points along the main connecting roads to other district headquarters.
Armed personnel and cops have been deployed around the Independence Day function venue to keep an eye on suspicious persons.
Senior Police officials said that these arrangements were put in place to ensure smooth conduct of Independence Day celebrations across J&K.
“Both human and technical means will be used to ensure incident-free Independence Day celebrations,” the officials said.
They said that the commuters travelling on roads and highways in and around Srinagar as well as in Jammu were being thoroughly checked and their identity was being confirmed.
In capital city and many parts of old city and some areas of uptown, police carried out a security drill. The pedestrians and vehicles were also being searched thoroughly in up and downtown areas of Srinagar.
“We are trying that the common man must not face inconvenience,” a police officer said, adding that frisking, checking and other measures were part of the security drill.
Earlier the J&K administration has directed schools and government offices to hoist Tricolour and sing the national anthem on the occasion of the Independence Day. In view of this, the School Principles and other officials including teaching and non-teaching staff has directed to attend their schools on a daily basis and ensure their attendance physically.