In a bid to stop South Kashmir type protests on the polling day in Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal on April 30, unprecedented security measures have been put in place in all the three districts. Besides the deployment of local police and Army at various places, 241 Companies of Para-military troopers have been deployed in all the three segments of Central Kashmir. Spokesperson CRPF, Kishor Prasad told that in all the three districts of Central Kashmir which is going for the Lok Sabha polls on April 30, at least 241 CRPF companies have been deployed. “We have deployed these companies keeping the number of polling booths into consideration. 88 Companies of CRPF have been deployed in Srinagar while 83 and 70 companies have been deployed in Budgam and Ganderbal respectively,” Prasad said.Sources told that amid crackdown on alleged stone-pelters all around Srinagar city, Ganderbal and Budgam, foolproof security arrangements have been put in place to thwart any kind of protests. Barricades, concertina wire and mobile bunkers have been erected at different places while night patrolling has been increased in volatile and restive parts of the Central Kashmir.A police official said that every possible step is being taken to maintain law and order. “We are monitoring the situation through CCTV cameras and large number of policemen are also doing rounds in civvies,” he said.
On Monday police and CRPF personnel were seen busy in frisking and checking identity cards of the commuters while at different places private and public vehicles were stopped and checked thoroughly.Reports said that dozens of bikes were seized by police near Jahangir Chowk, Dalgate, Poloview and other parts of the city after the bikers failed to produce required documents. Meanwhile police have arrested scores of pro-freedom activists in Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal districts. Police Monday arrested several activists of Democratic Political Movement including District president Srinagar Muhammad Imran while distributing ‘election boycott’ posters amoung people.Reports said that at least 15 youth were arrested by police during nocturnal raids in Brein Nishat and its adjacent area’s like Manzgam, New Colony, Pohlu and Dangarmohalla.Sources said that police is calling each and every alleged stone-pelter to police stations and detaining them.“We don’t want to take any chances. All these detained stone-pleters would be released once elections are over,” a police official said.