Multi-layered security in place at Jammu’s main Republic Day venue; vigil intensified across Kashmir

Jammu: Ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, Jammu’s Maulana Azad Stadium where Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha will unfurl the tricolour, has been put under siege, officials said on Sunday.Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will also be present at the main venue on January 26 to mark the 77th Republic Day celebrations, they said.A multi-layered security blanket has been thrown around the stadium and other venues at district and tehsil headquarters across Jammu region including the hilly areas to ensure incident-free celebrations, the officials said.

An armoured police vehicle has been deployed at the main entrance to the stadium in the heart of the city, while barricades have also been erected for crowd management, with both gates closed and guarded by a strong contingent of police and paramilitary forces, they said.Security forces have also taken control of all strategic locations and nearby buildings to maintain close vigil over the movement of people.A massive anti-terror operation was going on across Jammu region over the past one month, leading to four encounters – three in Kathua district and one in Kishtwar district within three weeks, resulting in the killing of a Pakistani terrorist affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in Kathua district on January 23.

A paratrooper of the Army also lost his life and seven other soldiers were injured in another encounter in Chatroo forest belt of Kishtwar on January 18.Though the recent heavy snowfall has impacted the anti-terror operations in the higher reaches, the officials said security forces continue to remain on high alert and have intensified vigil on the borders and the hinterland to thwart any attempt by terrorists to disrupt R-Day celebrations.

The officials said Village Defence Guards (VDGs) have also been mobilised across Jammu region to further bolster the security arrangements amid intensified area domination patrolling. Stringent security arrangements have been made for the Republic Day celebrations here with a three-tier security blanket thrown around Bakshi Stadium, the venue for the main official function in the valley, officials said here on Sunday.Barricades and checkpoints have been established on all roads leading to the stadium as large number of police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the city to ensure smooth passage of the celebrations on Monday.

A full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day was conducted in Saturday with Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg presiding over the function.Police have intensified patrolling and vehicle checks in the valley to thwart any plans of anti-national elements to disrupt the celebrations.”Police have stepped up security and checking measures across the valley to ensure a peaceful, safe, and incident-free observance of the Republic Day event,” the officials said.

They said as part of the enhanced security grid, police personnel have been deployed at strategic locations across the valley, especially in Srinagar city.”Special checkpoints and mobile patrols have been established, where thorough checking of vehicles and individuals is being carried out. Night patrols and surprise inspections are also being conducted to maintain heightened vigilance and to deter any attempt to disturb public order,” the officials said.They said additional deployments have been made in sensitive areas, with a special focus on monitoring suspicious movements.

Senior police officers at district level are supervising the arrangements to ensure effective and seamless implementation of the security plan, the officials said.”The general public is requested to cooperate with the police during checking and verification processes and to promptly report any suspicious activity to the nearest Police station or the Police Control Room,” they added.