Security tightened in JK ahead of PMs Visit

Srinagar, May 16: Security has been tightened in the entire state ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit here on Saturday.

Official sources said that Police and paramilitary CRPF personnel have been deployed in numbers across the state especially in twin cities, Jammu and Srinagar while in some places Army is also conducting foot patrols to prevent the militants from carrying out any attacks during the high profile visit.

“The security setup includes elaborate deployments, area domination, checkpoints and alertness in border areas and vigilance on vital installations in the region by various security agencies,” a police officer wished anonymity said.

The security forces have erected barriers to check the antecedents of people and to regulate the movement of the vehicles, the sources said.

They said a high-level meeting of security officials was held to review the situation in view of the recent militant attacks in the various parts of the Kashmir region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting here on May 19 to inaugurate a hydroelectricity project and participate in the 100th birth anniversary celebrations of Ladakhi spiritual leader Kushak Bakula, as also attend a university convocation, according to officials.

The 330-MW Kishanganga hydroelectric project, whose progress was monitored by the Prime Minister’s Office, is located at Bandipora in north Kashmir. It envisages diversion of the water of Kishanganga River to underground powerhouse through a 23.25-km tunnel to generate 1713 million units per annum.

Sources said that Later in the day, Modi is expected to fly to Leh, where he is likely to participate in the 100th anniversary celebrations of Kushak Bakula. The PM is also scheduled to address the sixth convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-Jammu) during his visit to the state on May 19.

One of the top Police officials said  that the security forces have been put on a high alert across the state in order to ensure that militants are not able to carry out any subversive activities.

Separatist’s leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), have called for a march to Lal Chowk in Srinagar to protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state.

The decision to call for the protest march was taken after a meeting of the three top separatist leaders at Geelani’s Hyderpora residence on Tuesday.

The separatist leaders had said tha the government has turned Kashmir Valley, especially the four districts of south Kashmir including Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam and Anantnag, into a battlefield.

“(But) he (Modi) would try to give an impression to the outside world, as well as the people of India, that people in Kashmir are living happily with India. The fact on the ground is that Kashmir is like hell,” the Joint Hurriyat had said.

“To register their protests against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to state on May 19, the people should march towards the historic Lal Chowk (in Srinagar),” the separatist leaders had appealed the people.

Meanwhile Director General of Police (DGP) S P Vaid while expressing satisfaction over security arrangements put in place by security agencies in connection with the Prime Minister’s visit to state has stressed on maintaining close coordination among security agencies to ensure incident-free visit of the Prime Minister.

Sources said that the DGP Vaid chaired a high level meeting to review security arrangements for Modi’s visit. “The DGP stressed upon the officers to sound alert in border areas and ensure round the clock patrolling.”