A day before the Republic Day celebrations, Srinagar has turned into a fortress, with barricades and checkpoints coming up all over the city and hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel patrolling the streets.
Security in the sensitive State capital has been tightened further due to U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to New Delhi. In the absence of an elected government in the State, Governor N.N. Vohra will take the salute on Monday at the Maulana Azad Memorial Stadium in Jammu, which has been put under multi-tier security and made out-of-bounds for any civilian movement.
The function in Srinagar will be held at the Bakshi Stadium, where a three-tier security arrangement has been put in place. Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed on all rooftops around the stadium.
ADVERTISEMENT
“A three-tier security has been put in place,” said a senior police officer in Srinagar. “We don’t have any specific inputs on militant activities, but we don’t want to take any chance especially as President Obama is here.”