Srinagar, August 14: Preparations are underway ahead of Independence Day celebrations in the J&K UT. Amidst aerial and ground surveillance, blockades and tight security arrangements, events and security arrangements are being held today ahead of the 75th Independence Day. The main event will be held at the cricket stadium in the Valley under full proof security arrangements.Meanwhile, the search operations continued today and in the evening, the streets of the city were filled with senators.According to the search and interrogation of vehicles as well as ordinary passers-by continued at various places in Srinagar and other sensitive towns of the valley on August 14.Vehicles from different districts and areas were being searched at all the check points of the city and passengers and passers-by were being searched with open arms.Police and forces searched vehicles and pedestrians at sensitive locations in the city. The forces set up roadblocks at various places and took down the passengers on scooters and searched their clothes and belongings.Heavy deployment of police and CRPF personnel’s was carried out on both sides of the foot bridge since morning. Security forces were stopping passers-by and searching their clothes as well as checking their identity cards.The biggest and main event in the valley on August 15 will be held at the Sonawar Cricket Stadium, where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will host the national flag and salute the march past.The cricket stadium has been turned into a military checkpoint. All the routes to the stadium have already been sealed. Surveillance is also being carried out by drone cameras. Apart from the state police, CRPF, NCC and some other security agencies, children from various government and private schools will also take part in the special parade.The security of the stadium has been handed over to the commandos. “Sharp shooters” have been deployed on several high-rise buildings.Drones will also patrol the I-Day venue. Squadrons have been deployed at the main gates of the stadium.The CRPF and police have already taken over the high-rise buildings in the vicinity of the stadium and have taken up their positions there, while special cameras have also been installed inside the stadium.Officers have been instructed to monitor the event, cover it and monitor incoming visitors. Late in the evening, all roads leading to the cricket stadium were cordoned off.Special identity cards have been provided to the police and security forces so that the police and CRPF personnel guarding the stadium can be easily identified. Around Haft Chinar, Tulsi Bagh, Padshahi Bagh, Alochi Bagh, Mahjoor Nagar, Jawahar Nagar, Lal Ded and Solana areas, the movement of civilians was banned today, while all roads leading to the stadium were blocked in the evening.Police and security personnel stationed around the stadium have been given special identity cards and strictly instructed to keep their belongings with them from today (Saturday).Strict security arrangements have also been made in the vicinity of railway stations. Meanwhile, the ceremonies will be held at the other district headquarters, security forces and police have been deployed in the vicinity of these places also, and Special Forces have been assigned to provide security.Though educational institutions are closed in the UT due to the ongoing pandemic, the J&K administration has decided to lift the restrictions on assembly of more than 25 people for staff members and students to organize the I-Day functions in colleges and schools on August 15.(CNS)
