Special Protection Group takes control of venue

Srinagar:  Security has been beefed up here and across Kashmir Valley as authorities have already detained or placed all top separatist leaders under house arrest in the run up to ‘Million March’ announced by top pro-freedom leader Syed Ali Geelani to counter Indian Prime Minister Modi’s rally on November 7.

Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in strength and are conducting random checking of vehicles at dozens of places in the city and elsewhere, a senior police officer told CNS.

Special checking points have been set up at various places in the city including entry and exit points as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.

“The move is aimed at foiling any attempt by militants to strike in the city ahead or during the Prime Minister's visit,” the police official said.

Police sources said more than 10,000 police personnel from the city will be involved in bandobust in addition to the strength that would be drawn from the Armed Reserve and other branches to implement strict restrictions on November 7.

An Intelligence Officer informed that a team of the SPG (Special Protection Group) will take control of Sonwar Cricket Stadium, the venue where Modi to scheduled to address the rally.

"Dozens of CCTV cameras, sniffer dogs, mobile surveillance bunkers and drop gates are being put in place to ensure safety for the people coming to attend the rally.”

In order to prevent the separatist leaders from disrupting Modi's rally, the authorities have placed over 30 separatist leaders and activists under house arrest in Srinagar. Police have also been taking some known stone-throwers into preventive custody to ensure peace in Srinagar city during the prime minister's rally.

While Geelani continues to remain under house arrest in his uptown Hyderpora residence, Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Muhammad Nayeem Khan, Showkat Ahmad Bakshi and others have also been placed under house arrest.

Reports said that frisking operations have been intensified with police, army and paramilitary forces erecting barricades on highways and all the entry and exit points of the summer capital Srinagar where Modi will address a rally. Eyewitnesses said that motorists and pedestrians were being stopped at the barricades and asked to prove their identity. Similar reports were received from different parts of North and South Kashmir with army frisking people at various places, especially at Zangam, Baba Teng Pattan in Baramulla district. (CNS)