KL Report
SRINAGAR
The surge in violence in South Kashmir has put security agencies on toes ahead OF the polls that are due on 24th of April. Highly placed sources told CNS that Security agencies are apprehensive of more violence in coming days and if need arises they will not hesitate to press air-crafts into service for effective surveillance.
During the last day of election campaign on Tuesday, not a single political party managed to organize an election rally in any party of the South Kashmir. Political activities came to stand still with the killing of Sarpanch, his son and village headman in Tral town on Monday evening.
Amid tight security and under deep security blanket, Omar Abdullah addressed an election rally at Noor Abad rally.
A police official said on condition of anonymity that in order to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in South Kashmir, a new security plan is being prepared. “If need arises we would certainly make use of special choppers and monitor the situation at polling booths that have already been declared sensitive in South Kashmir. We are in touch with the Defense Ministry, however, no decision in this regard has been taken yet,” the official said.
Of the 1,615 polling stations in the South Kashmir Lok Sabha constituency, 690 polling stations have been designated as “hypersensitive” as there is apprehension of violence in these polling station areas during the polling while 659 polling stations have been designated as “sensitive”.
Sources said that after the twin attacks in South Kashmir’s Tral town, police have apprehensions that militants may struck again in certain areas to let lose a reign of terror among voters especially village representative. Security agencies have decided to deploy additional troopers in restive areas of South Kashmir.
Another police official said that after the recent political killings, police and other subsidiary agencies have decided to intensify night patrolling that would restrict the movement of armed men.
“The security personnel patrolling the highway and other areas have been asked to be extra vigilant and ensure they maintain high alertness while on duty,” he said.
