Srinagar, Oct 22 (GNS): Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.
In wake of the visit, security has been tightened further as reports reaching GNS suggest that additional forces have been deployed in Srinagar and elsewhere.
This will be Amit Shah’s first visit to the valley since August 5, 2019 when centre ended J&K’s special status, its statehood and created Ladakh and J&K as a separate Union Territories.
Amit Shah is also scheduled to chair a meeting of the unified command in Srinagar and is likely to flag off the Srinagar-Sharjah direct flight on October 23. He is likely to address a public rally in Jammu on October 24 besides meet various delegations.
In run-up to the visit, security personnel were seen carrying frisking of the commuters at several places in Srinagar. At places, even mini-buses carrying passenger were stopped and people asked to de-board and later frisked. Also reports about seizing of bikes continued to pour in. Pertinently Inspector General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar took to twitter saying that seizing “some bikes or shutting down internet of some towers” was purely related to militancy related incidents and has nothing to do with the upcoming visit of the Home Minister Amit Shah.
“Seizing some bikes and shutting down of internet of some towers is purely related to militancy violence. It has nothing to do with visit of the Hon’ble HM: IGP Kashmir”, reads the tweet issued on Thursday.
On Friday former Chief Minister of erstwhile J&K and PDP chioef Mehbooba Mufti tweeted: “J&K admin’s recent spree of seizing bikes in Kashmir is a collective punishment & another way to snatch whatever means Kashmiri youth have to earn their livelihood in a dignified manner. Contrary to GOIs claims of providing jobs, they are doing the opposite.”
Meanwhile, several security bunkers comeback on the city roads including Barazulla and Jawaharnagar here. In 2011 and 2014 most of the bunkers were removed from city roads.
The traffic authorities here have already announced that from the Boulvard Road Srinagar from Badyari to Nishat and Gupkhar Road will remain closed for general traffic in connection with visit of VVIP from 23rd to 25th October.
“The motorists are requested to opt for Foreshore -Habak – Hazratbal route OR Tailbal – Zakoora – Hazratbal route and Badyari-Hazratbal route for return journey,” reads an advisory.
“The tourists shall be allowed up to Nehru Park after proper verification of their places of stay,” it reads, adding, “The route for medical emergencies shall be decided on spot.” (GNS)
