Security bunkers stage a comeback in city

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 15

Security bunkers have returned to Srinagar city. Post the abrogation of Article 370, the CRPF has gone into an overdrive to construct new fortified bunkers at important road junctions in the summer capital.

Massive sand pickets and portable bullet-proof bunkers have come up at vulnerable areas in an apparent bid to keep militants and anti-national elements at bay.

Some of these bunkers have been built at strategically important areas including Jehangir Chowk, Iqbal Sabzi Mandi, Bakshi Stadium, SMHS hospital and other sensitive areas.

Sources said the decision to create a network of bunkers was taken after security forces received inputs about the increased militant movement.

Security officials said the bunkers were a temporally security measure to prevent any militant attack.

“These bunkers will be removed once the situation returns to normalcy,” a senior security official said.

“These bunkers are aimed at maintaining peace in various areas, where security presence is negligible and there is a need to augment the forces,” the official said.

The new bunkers have come at a time when the Valley continues to simmer post the abrogation of Article 370. Though the situation in the past six weeks has remained calm, by and large, there are still fears that it may turn volatile given the intelligence inputs.

Return after a decade

• The bunkers have staged a comeback after almost 10 years in Kashmir. 
• With the improvement in situation, many bunkers were removed or dismantled to create a feel-good factor in the otherwise militancy-hit city during the Omar Abdullah-led government in 2009 and 2010.
• The issue also dominated the Assembly proceedings with successive governments pushing for a bunker-free city. 
• Omar Abdullah, the then CM, who was also holding the portfolio of Home Minister, also gave a statement on the floor of the House detailing about reducing the footprints of security forces in the city.