SECURITY TIGHTENED FOR FIRST REPUBLIC DAY EVENT IN UT

SRINAGAR: Security has been beefed up in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir ahead of the Republic Day with a massive deployment of forces around the venues of the January 26 functions across the Valley, officials said on Thursday.

It will be the first Republic Day celebrations in the Valley after Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was withdrawn on August 5 and the erstwhile state was divided into two Union Territories.

The security has been tightened at various places in the city as well as in other districts of the Valley ahead of the Republic Day, the officials said. The presence of security forces around vital installations in and around the city as well as other district headquarters has been increased, they said. Security has alswo been strengthened around the venues for the Republic Day functions including the Sher-e-kashmir Cricket Stadium here, where the main function in the Valley would take place, they added.

The officials said a thick layer of security has been thrown around the venue – few kilometres away from the Lal Chowk city centre here – and the area has been sanitized. Security forces have been asked to remain alert and additional checkpoints have been erected, they said. Security has also been strengthened around the venues for the Republic Day functions, including the Sher-e-kashmir

Cricket Stadium here, they added.

security forces and the civil administration in maintaining law and order situation in the freshly carved out Union Territory.