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| High alert for Republic Day | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 24: A high alert has been sounded across Jammu and Kashmir as state prepares for the Republic Day functions on Monday. Amidst tight security the final full dress rehearsal was today conducted at the MA Stadium here where main function will be held.
Barricades have been erected around the venue for the main function and there is heavy deployment of security forces on the surrounding road. Contingents from Police, Army, CRPF and other agencies will parade and students of various schools will conduct cultural programmes during the March Past, the sources said.
“Police in civil and Quick Reaction team have been deployed in every entry points in order to thwart any untoward incident”, said DIG Jammu AQ Manhas. SSP, Jammu, Manohar Singh said that in view of the Republic Day celebrations a high alert had been sounded and mock exercises were being conducted at the bus stand, railway station and Narwal Mandi. The Police also launched a sustained checking at various localities to maintain a register of non-local residents and workers.
Police had deployed over 1,500 personnel in and around Jammu, including the MA Stadium, Raghunath Temple, Bahu Fort and other crowded places. “We are also maintaining a strict vigil on city hotels as a few days back three militants were arrested from Hotel Samrat in the heart of the city,” said a police officer. Similarly, security had also been beefed up at the railway station, the bus stand and the airport, he added.
Security forces have been asked to remain vigilant ahead of Republic Day as there are apprehensions that militants might try to carry out a spectacular attack to get into the limelight, they said.
"As militant guns have been mostly silent for the past several months due to increased pressure from security forces, the ultras might try to stage a comeback of sorts in the public conscience.
"The heavy voter turnout in the recent Assembly elections has had a demoralising effect on the militant cadres as is indicated by some intercepts of their communication," the sources said.
In Srinagar, security forces started random frisking of passers-by and searches of vehicles since yesterday in the areas near the Bakshi Stadium including Lal Chowk, Exhibition Crossing, Budshah Chowk, Wazir Bagh, Haft Chinar, Rambagh and Iqbal Park, the sources said.
Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed around vital installations to thwart any militant plans but their presence is not as overwhelming as it used to be in previous years ahead of Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations in the Valley.
Police personnel in various police stations in the city have been asked to keep an eye on suspected elements in their respective jurisdictions, particularly those persons who have taken accommodation on rent in recent months in the areas close to Bakshi Stadium or any other vital installation in the city, the sources said.
They said the cops, however, have been directed to be polite while making enquiries about any suspects and not to put any innocent persons to inconvenience.
Meanwhile, arrangements have been made at all district and tehsil headquarters in the Valley for organising Republic Day celebrations.
Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Ali Mohammad Sagar will be the chief guest in Srinagar. Other Ministers are expected to be chief guests in their respective district headquarters while Deputy Commissioners will unfurl the National Flag in the remaining districts, the sources said.
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