SRINAGAR, Dec 8: A multi-tier security cordon has been thrown around S K cricket stadium, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address an election rally today in support of BJP candidates.
Besides paramilitary forces and state police, National Security Guards (NSG) have taken position to foil any militant attempt to disrupt the first rally of Mr Modi here. Unprecedented security arrangements had been made in view of the separatist boycott call and recent spurt in the militant violence in which 21 people, including eight army personnel, three
policemen and eight militants, were killed on December 5 in the valley.
Sharp shooters holding automatic weapons have been deployed on all high rise buildings and nearby Rustam Gali and Shankarachariya, also known as Takhat-e-Suliman, hill, keeping a close watch with the help of binoculars on main roads. A UNI correspondent, who visited the stadium area, saw hundreds of security forces and state police personnel guarding the outer side of the stadium from all sides. All main roads leading to stadium have been closed with barbed wire and even security force and police vehicles are not being allowed to enter the area adjacent to rally venue. A large number of security forces have been deployed on the nearby hills since early this morning as in 2004, hours before the then Prime Minister Manmohan was to address public meeting at the same venue, security forces killed two fidayeen who were planning attack the rally.
The Srinagar-Jammu national highway has been closed at Pantha Chowk and all vehicles, including trucks loaded with essentials, are being diverted through Nowgam byepass. Similarly, five km area around the stadium has been sealed since early morning. Large number of security forces, wearing bulletproof jackets and holding automatic weapons could be seen patrolling the streets.
Two main bridges-Amira Kadal and Budshah Kadal-have been closed with barbed wire and no vehicle is being allowed to cross towards civil lines.
However, pedestrians are allowed after checking of their identity cards and frisking.
Red Cross road, Radio Kashmir crossing, Dalgate, Badyari chowk, Zero bridge, Jehangir Chowk and Barbar Shah have also been blocked with barbed wires.
(AGENCIES)
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