Security stepped up ahead of local body polls in Kashmir Valley

Security forces have intensified checking and area domination as part of an elaborate plan to provide a sense of security for the smooth conduct of local body polls in the Kashmir Valley, officials said Sunday.

 The first phase of the polls start Monday.

"An elaborate security plan has been put in place for the smooth conduct of the polls, a senior police official said.

He said security forces have intensified vehicle checking, frisking and area domination in the city as well as in the other areas of the valley in the run up to the polls.

Many check-points have been placed in the city where vehicles are being checked. Sniffer dogs are also being used to check vehicles. We are making sure that no untoward incident happens, he said.

The official said while providing a secure atmosphere for the polls was a challenge, there is a good synergy between various security agencies and several steps have been taken to provide a general sense of security in the valley.

We are providing cluster security. Most of the candidates have been taken to secure locations and some have been given a security cover. The areas are being made safe through operations and increased presence of forces as well as through area domination, the official said.

He said deployment of forces has been worked out and sensitive areas have been taken care of.

The official said polling booths have been secured and a thick layer of security has been thrown around them.

The focus is to keep trouble makers at bay so that there is untoward incident and people come out to vote without any fear, he said.

Inspector General of CRPF, Kashmir, Ravideep Singh Sahi said the "environment" in the entire Kashmir Valley is under control and the endeavour is to create a sense of security so that the people come out to vote.

We have made elaborate arrangements for the security. Whatever force was required for the elections, has come and they are being deployed. They have been here for some time and they are adequately familiarised with the area. We have started area domination, check-points have been installed in various areas and we are working in close coordination with the police and army, Singh said.

He said operations were being conducted to arrest trouble mongers so that a secure environment is provided to the people.

We have made adequate arrangements for the security of the candidates, their personal security as well as the accommodation arrangements, we have elaborate plan for that. Area domination, checking and operations have been going on so that trouble mongers are arrested and there is a general sense of security, the IG CRPF said.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Saturday took a detailed review of the security situation in the state ahead of the first phase of the municipal elections.

The meeting was attended by Northern Army Commander, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh, GOC 15 Corps, Lt Gen A K Bhat, and top officials from police, CRPF and civil administration.

The meeting discussed security arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the forthcoming elections to urban local bodies and panchayats and the need of a safe environment for the elections.

(PTI)