Security intensified ahead of local body polls in Kashmir Valley
Security forces have intensified checking and area domination as part of an elaborate plan to provide a sense of security for smooth conduct of local body polls in the Kashmir Valley, officials said Sunday. "An elaborate security plan has been put in place for the smooth conduct of the polls, a senior police official said. The first phase of the polls will start Monday.
Making sure no untoward incident happens, says Police
Elaborating on the security measures, the official said security forces have intensified vehicle checking, frisking, and area domination in Srinagar and other areas of the valley in the run-up to the polls. Many check-points have been placed in Srinagar where vehicles are being checked. Sniffer dogs are also being used to check vehicles. We're making sure that no untoward incident happens, he said.
For police, providing adequate security was a challenge
While providing a secure atmosphere for the polls was a challenge, there is a good synergy between various security agencies and several steps have been taken to provide a general sense of security in the valley, said the senior police official.
Candidates taken to a safe location and provided security cover
"We are providing cluster security. Most of the candidates have been taken to secure locations and some have been given a security cover. The areas are being made safe through operations and increased presence of forces as well as through area domination," the official said. The official also said deployment of forces has been worked out and sensitive areas have been taken care of.
Environment in the Kashmir Valley under control: CRPF Inspector General
The official said a thick layer of security has been thrown around polling booths so that people come out to vote without any fear. Inspector General of CRPF, Kashmir, Ravideep Singh Sahi said the "environment" in the entire Kashmir Valley is under control and the endeavor is to create a sense of security so that the people come out to vote.
Check-points installed in various areas in Kashmir Valley
"We have made elaborate arrangements for the security. Whatever force was required for the elections, has come and they are being deployed," said Singh. "They have been here for some time and they're adequately familiarized with the area. We have started area domination, check-points have been installed in various areas and we are working in close coordination with the police and army," he added.
Operations going on to arrest trouble mongers: IG CRPF
"We have made adequate arrangements for the security of the candidates, their personal security as well as the accommodation arrangements, and we have an elaborate plan for that," the IG CRPF said. He further stated that the checking and operations have been going on so that trouble mongers are arrested and there is a general sense of security.
J&K Governor held meeting to discuss security-arrangements
The Jammu & Kashmir Governor, Satya Pal Malik, on Saturday took a detailed review of the security situation in the state ahead of the first phase of the municipal elections. Security arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the forthcoming elections to urban local bodies and panchayats and the need for a safe environment for the elections were discussed at the meeting.
Who all attended the security meeting?
The security meeting was attended by Northern Army Commander, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh, GOC 15 Corps, Lt Gen AK Bhat, and top officials from police, CRPF, and civil administration.
