Curfew like situation in Srinagar during PM's visit

Srinagar, May 25: Curfew like security arrangements continued in the summer capital to thwart any militant strike during the ongoing two-day Round Table conference on Kashmir convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Four militant outfits have issued threats to disrupt the conference.

Security forces wearing bullet proof jackets and holding weapons were seen on both sides of the deserted streets in the city.

Police officials posted at different naka points said they had orders not to allow anybody to move towards the city in vehicles.

This measure had been taken in view of the fidayeen attacks on a Border Security Force (BSF) on Airport road on May 23 and on the Congress rally at Sher-e-Kashmir Municipal Park near here on May 21.

Meanwhile. sharpshooters remained deployed to guard the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Complex (SKICC), venue of the second Round-Table Conference.

Besides, all roads leading the SKICC, on the bank of famed Dal Lake, have been closed for traffic. The Boulevard road, on the bank of the Lake, leading to the SKICC from Dalgate, has been closed for all vehicles since Monday morning. Similarly from the Nishat side, the road has been closed with a barbed wire with the security vehicles stationed in the middle.

Security forces deployed in the area said that they have orders not to allow any vehicle on the road and even the vehicles with valid passes were being properly searched before allowing them to move towards the Nehru park.

Official sources said security forces had also searched the forest area to make sure that no militant was hiding there.

Besides, sharpshooters could be seen in the Dal Lake area patrolling on water boats in the Lake to foil any militant attack from that quarter.

UNI

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