Tight security in Kashmir ahead of R-Day

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 25

Security across the Kashmir valley has been strengthened on the eve of Republic Day, causing inconvenience to residents who struggled to cross through fresh checkpoints set up in the region.

The checkpoints have been set up across the region, including the only highway that runs from north to south Kashmir and also in the city.

The roads in the vicinity of Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, where the main function will be held on Sunday, have also been blocked for civilian traffic as the security forces remain in a state of heightened alert.

Residents, however, said they felt harassed by the increased security in the region, which was already grappling with the aftermath of widespread travel and communication restrictions imposed following the abrogation of Article 370 in August last year.

It is for the first time that the Republic Day functions will be hosted by the government in Kashmir, post UT creation.

“There’s a checkpoint at every 100 metres and I was stopped at two of them,” Irfan, a resident of Srinagar’s old city, said. “It was only when I stopped at the checkpoints, I realised that Republic Day was coming,” he said.

Irfan said he witnessed the police ensuring that all motorcycles were stopped and seized, even if the bikers had proper documents.

The residents travelling on the highway said they were stopped at nearly a dozen places on Friday night while travelling from Srinagar to Baramulla in north Kashmir. “I was asked to stop at seven places. I was carrying medicines and they even questioned me for the same,” a local said.

Travelling in and out of Srinagar has also become a troublesome affair in the run-up to Republic Day as a majority of the checkpoints have been set up at entry and exit points at Pantha Chowk, Lasjan and Parimpora.

“There is an atmosphere of fear among the public because forces have been deployed everywhere and more checkpoints have been set up,” a resident of southern Pampore town said.