Security tightened in summer capital

Battle for states: J&K BJP work to ensure success of PM's rally

On the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Srinagar, a massive security blanket was thrown around the city on Sunday.

Modi is scheduled to address an election rally at Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Sonwar area of the city on Monday.

Security personnel in hundreds armed with metal detectors and accompanied by sniffer dogs have been deployed in and around the stadium and entry into the area has been restricted.

Sources told Deccan Herald that in the backdrop of recent deadly militants attacks in the Valley, multi-layered security arrangements have been put in place ahead of Modi’s rally with 30 companies of additional paramilitary forces deployed in and around the stadium.

“The venue has been scanned for landmines and IEDs several times in the past one week and since then it is out of bounds for civilians,” they said and added the exact details as to how Modi will reach the venue has been kept a secret due to security reasons.

Sources said Special Protection Group (SPG) under the leadership of a deputy inspector general-rank officer has already taken over the control of the rally venue while sharpshooters have been being deployed on nearby high rise buildings.

State’s Director General Police (DGP) K Rajendra Kumar said though there is no specific militant threat they have taken all the necessary arrangements for the Prime Minister’s address in Srinagar on December 8 ahead of the third phase of polling in J&K on December 9.

The BJP National Secretary and in charge of PM’s rally Tarun Chug told reporters on Sunday that they were expecting a large number of people to flock the stadium.

“We are expecting one lakh people in the rally and for the smooth entry of the participants we have asked the security agencies to maintain soft approach towards the participants,” he said.

Sources said the state BJP leaders are doing everything to ensure that the rally is a success and they have made arrangements to bring in people from different parts of the state. They also bank on supporters of the party’s potential allies to show their strength in the heart of Srinagar.

Altaf Thakur, who handles BJP’s media and publicity wing in Kashmir, said they have hired 3000 vehicles to ferry people for the rally.