Kashmir on ‘highest alert’ for PM visit

A red alert has been sounded throughout the Valley on the eve of Prime Minister’s two-day Kashmir visit beginning tomorrow.Police and p...

A red alert has been sounded throughout the Valley on the eve of Prime Minister’s two-day Kashmir visit beginning tomorrow.

Police and para-military troops have been put on highest alert for the VVIP visit. A Special Protection Group (SPG) unit is already in town overlooking the security arrangements by the state authorities.

Though the details on the constitution and strength of the group are not known, sources said it is in direct touch with top state police and administration officials to plug security loopholes, if any.

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Nadimarg survivors
hurt by PM’s neglect

JAMMU: As Jammu and Kashmir eagerly awaits the arrival of Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee on Friday, survivors of last month’s Nadimarg massacre are a disappointed lot.
‘‘We expected nothing from the PM. We only thought he would visit us and share our grief. Instead, he has avoided us,’’ said Jyoti Pandita, a survivor of the carnage where 24 Kashmiri Pandits were shot dead by militants.
All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference general secretary H.L. Chatta said: “The PM’s visit is a non-issue for us. His coming here was meant to heal the wounds of Kashmir Valley and not Pandits. The promises made by the PM during his last visit are unfulfilled,’’ he said. —PTI

IG, Kashmir, K. Rajendra said: ‘‘Appropriate arrangements have been made for the PM’s visit. We have also issued directions to all guards at all minority pickets to remain on highest alert.’’

Today police and para-military troops descended on the four-km radius of Amar Singh Club Grounds, adjoining the Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, the venue for Vajpayee’s public rally tomorrow. They searched every inch of the area, including residences and VIP quarters. Roads have been dug deep for explosives and the speed-breakers flattened around the stadium for smooth VVIP passage.

All roads leading to the venue have been closed for entry and traffic diverted to alternate routes. Barricades at Sonwar, Burn Hall School, the Radio Kashmir-Doordarshan offices at the TRC Crossing, the Bund on river Jhelum have been erected and civic movement restricted in the area.

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Police and para-troopers have been stationed throughout the route the VVIP entourage is scheduled to follow, right from the Airport, rally venue and all along Boulevard leading to the Raj Bhavan (overlooking the Dal), where the PM will put up. The PMO officials will be lodged at Nehru Palace while other guests accompanying the VVIP will be put up in Guest House 1 and 2.

But in all this security build-up to the VVIP visit, the common man was harassed to no end. Buses, private vehicles and taxis are being thoroughly checked and pedestrians subjected to frisking like never before. This security exercise obviously irked many. ‘‘Body frisking and ID card checking is routine in Kashmir. But today they (cops) seem to be leaving nothing to chance,’’ said a visibly irritated Irfan Sheikh, a resident of Sonwar, adjoining the Amar Singh Club.

Tight security have been maintained in the Civil Lines area and the prestigious Sher-Kashmir International Conference Centre, Centaur where the PM is scheduled to deliver a convocation of the Kashmir University on Saturday.

Vajpayee on Day One will inaugurate the extension counter of Srinagar Airport soon after his arrival, followed by the public rally at Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium.

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He will also hold a rally at Qazigund on Saturday where he will be inaugurating the rail bridge of the much-hyped railway link to Kashmir.

On the same day, the PM proposes to host lunch to all MPs from the state and the MLAs. Before his departure, the PM will address the press at the Airport lounge.