Jammu and Kashmir: Security measures tightened ahead of G20 meet in Srinagar

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Among the slew of security measures, special highway patrolling teams will be deployed at major junctions along the major roads in Srinagar. Also anti-drone technology will be installed.

Sources told Deccan Herald newspaper that top security officials from Jammu and Kashmir had detailed discussions with a central team to make security and other arrangements for G20 delegates in the Valley where the meeting is scheduled to be held.

Special forces and anti-drone technology from New Delhi will be deployed in Srinagar and tourist places where G20 delegates will visit.

“Additional paramilitary forces from within the UT will also be relocated and deployed in Srinagar, Gulmarg and other vulnerable areas to ensure peaceful meeting,” they said.

Delegates from almost all countries of G20, except China, are scheduled to attend the meeting on Working Group of Tourism in Srinagar on May 23, official sources said.

The G20 delegates will reach Srinagar on May 22 and the meeting of the group will be held on May 23.

The delegates will be taken to major tourist places for sightseeing on May 24 in Srinagar including Dal Lake where they will go for a Shikara ride, Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary and some other significant places followed by a visit to north Kashmir’s ski-resort Gulmarg. They will return to New Delhi on May 25, they added, the newspaper reported.

A senior police officer told Rising Kashmir that security measures are being finalized ahead of the G20 meeting in Srinagar. High-end drones and CCTV cameras will be used to keep the surveillance to avoid any untoward incident.

“The meeting will be held from May 22 and 24 in Kashmir and It will be hosted at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC),” he said, adding that apart from human intelligence, security forces will be using high-end drones and vehicles mounted with CCTV cameras to keep track of the situation.

The officer said paramilitary forces from the hinterland will also be relocated and deployed in Srinagar, Gulmarg, Baramulla and other places where G20 delegates will visit to ensure a peaceful atmosphere.

“All agencies of security forces are working in a joint synergy. We have recently formulated a new security plan for the high profile G20 meeting.

The arrangements are in the final stage, he said, reported Rising Kashmir.

“Special teams have been constituted to check the drone activity across all routes. Major highways will be manned round-the-clock by patrolling by forces personnel during daytime and through 360-degree camera fitted Mobile Bunker Vehicles (MBVs),” he said.

The police officer said they have already discussed a proposal with the Srinagar administration to replace the traditional bunkers with Smart bunkers in the city. All bunkers at vital locations are being relocated and some work has been already done in this regard, he said.

“Some bunkers were recently relocated in Dal Gate, Jehangir Chowk, Nigeen and other areas,” he said, adding that more bunkers will be relocated soon.

In this regard, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has issued fresh tenders for face lifting and renovation of existing bunkers, pickets in Srinagar City and Rs. 44.44 Lakh has been allocated for the same.

India’s Home Minister Amit Shah recently reviewed the security situation and preparations of the G-20 meet, scheduled to be held in Srinagar. He urged all agencies to work in a coordinated manner for the success of the event.

The meeting was attended by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, J&K Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla among other senior officials.(ID)