Darbar move offices to re-open in Srinagar tomorrow

Srinagar, May 7 (UNI) A massive security cover has been thrown in the entire Srinagar city today on the eve of the re-opening of 'darbar move' offices here tomorrow after functioning in Jammu for six months.

The Civil Secretariat and other related offices had closed for the bi-annual 'darbar move' in the winter capital on April 29.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad would be attending the office here for the first time ever.

Immediately after being sworn-in as the tenth Chief Minister of the state on November two last year, Mr Azad had to move to Jammu as the offices had already shifted to the winter capital.

The 'darbar move' practice between the two state capitals -- Srinagar for six summer months and Jammu for six winter months -- was started in 1872 during Maharaja Ranbir Singh's tenure.

Nearly ten thousand government officers and employees have moved to Srinagar for the next six months.

The State Road transport Corporation (JKSRTC) had provided trucks and buses for shifting the records and transporting the officials from Jammu to Srinagar respectively.

The Civil Secretariat, which houses the offices of the Chief Minister, his cabinet colleagues and other top bureaucrats, is the nerve centre of official activities.

The administration has made elaborate arrangements for better traffic regulation and removing of various road bottle-necks in the Srinagar city.

The authorities have deployed a heavy posse of jammu and Kashmir police and security personnel in the city. The police and security personnel were seen thoroughly checking the vehicles, passengers and the pedestrians at several points in the summer capital.

Additional forces have been mobilised to maintain tight vigil and to ensure smooth and trouble-free shifting of the Civil Secretariat.

The hotels and the guest houses, where the migrant officials, would be lodged, have been properly sanitised. Security has also been further beefed up at these places.

The security along the route to be taken by the vehicles carrying 'darbar move' employees has also been upgraded.

Security drills were carried out to test the alertness of the troops, officials said, adding special emphasis was being given to prevent suicide attackers, particularly car bombers, from breaching the heavy security, they added.

Barriers and road blocks had been set up outside as well as inside the Civil Secretariat to ensure no one barged into the complex, the officials said.

The administration has already undertaken a beautification drive of the Srinagar city and its outskirts.

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