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SRINAGAR

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Cop frisking civilian in Srinagar. (Photos: Bilal Bahadur/KL)

Ahead of August 15, intense security checking is underway in JK’s summer capital with a posse of police, paramilitary personnel manning streets, frisking commuters and checking passersby.

This year’s security set up has been beefed up in view of volatile situation in South Kashmir, spillover of which was apparently noticed in Srinagar on Wednesday evening when suspected militants lobbed grenade at Khanyar Police Station in old city thus alerting the security grid.

Policemen patrolling on Srinagar's Bund.
Policemen patrolling on Srinagar’s Bund.

The cops have placed drop gates, concertina wires and nakkas at number of places around Srinagar apparently to thwart any possible militant strike in Srinagar. At number of places, authorities have installed more CCTV cameras to keep close eye on city. Scores of cops are keeping vigil at Bund, some of them ferrying in motorboats on Jhelum.

A senior police officer told Kashmir Life that ahead of August 15, there is a serious security concern in Srinagar. “And that’s why,” he said, “the security has been beefed up around Srinagar.”

Security checking in front of Srinagar's Bakshi Stadium.
Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium.

All the focus is on Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium, where August 15 parade is scheduled to be held. The traffic movement around the area has been affected due to heightened security. The Rambagh-Bakshi Stadium stretch remains the most difficult route to pass. Besides the three roads surrounding the Stadium stand blocked, making the movement of ambulances towards Lal Ded very difficult.

August 15 rehearsals inside Bakshi Stadium.
August 15 rehearsals inside Bakshi Stadium.

Meanwhile inside the Stadium, rehearsals of August 15 celebrations are going.

Amid this heightened security, civilians are crying hoarse over the security brunt they face. “It always boils down to common people,” said one local in Srinagar. But the police officer said there is no other alternative than to subject people through hyper security checking “to ensure incident-free Republic day celebrations” in Srinagar.

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