Sajid Raina/ Yogesh
Srinagar/Jammu, Aug 04 :
Security was stepped up across Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday ahead of the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, with police in Kashmir barring protests without prior permission and authorities in Jammu placing the region on high alert amid intelligence inputs warning of possible terror strikes.
An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) in Kashmir, Police in Srinagar, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Budgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag issued public advisories stating that no protest, rally, procession, demonstration or any other public gathering would be allowed without prior permission from the competent authority following protest calls by various political parties and organisations.
Officials said elaborate security arrangements had been put in place across the Valley to maintain law and order, public safety and communal harmony.
Police in Handwara and Sopore also announced that no protest or demonstration would be permitted without prior approval, warning that any violation would invite legal action.
In separate advisories, Pulwama and Shopian police appealed to people to cooperate with law enforcement agencies, maintain peace, refrain from spreading rumours or unverified information and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station.
Police in Bandipora said adequate security arrangements had been made across the district and that violations of the prescribed legal provisions would be dealt with strictly in accordance with law.
Officials said security deployment had been strengthened at sensitive locations across the Valley, while police and other security agencies were maintaining heightened vigil to ensure peaceful observance of August 5.
JAMMU REMAINS UNDER UNPRECEDENTED SECURITY BLANKET
Meanwhile, Jammu remained under an unprecedented security blanket, with intelligence agencies warning of possible terror strikes in view of the Article 370 anniversary, the ongoing Amarnath Yatra and the forthcoming Independence Day.
According to officials, intelligence inputs indicated that terrorists might attempt to target vulnerable locations, including educational institutions, prompting authorities to enhance security measures across sensitive areas.
Defence officials said the decision was based on specific intelligence alerts regarding possible terror threats and stressed that the measure was purely preventive.
Several educational institutions outside cantonment areas also conducted emergency mock drills to familiarise students and staff with evacuation procedures and emergency response protocols.
Security has been significantly strengthened around military establishments, vital installations, government offices, transport hubs and other sensitive locations across Jammu, with additional deployment of police, paramilitary and security forces. Checking, surveillance, area domination patrols and access control measures have also been intensified.
The heightened security comes amid contrasting political programmes scheduled for August 5. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has planned celebrations to mark the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of the erstwhile state, the Congress has announced that it will observe the day as a “Black Day” and hold protests demanding restoration of statehood.
Officials appealed to the public across Jammu and Kashmir to cooperate with the administration and security agencies and avoid any activity that could disturb peace or public order—(KNO)