Security arrangements affect normal life in Srinagar

Srinagar, Aug 2 (UNI) Normal activities in the areas adjacent to Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly (LA) complex in the heart of the city remained affected because of unprecedented security arrangements in view of the threat perception.

All roads leading to the complex, where the Assembly and Council session is going on, have been sealed for security reasons.

The shopkeepers in the nearby areas alleged that security measures had affected their business.

''We could not do any business yesterday as the entire area remained under security for whole day becuase of two sittings in the Legislative Council,'' said the shopkeepers.

They said the area remained closed for all activities since morning till the house is adjourned and ministers left for their homes.

The session will close on Friday.

The District Magistrate, (Srinagar) has prohibited the assembling of general public within the jurisdiction of police stations in Batamaloo, Shaeedgunj, Maisuma, Kohiti Bagh and Ram Munishi Bagh till summer sessions in Legislative Assembly and Council are over.

Traffic on all routes leading to the complex has been suspended and vehicles directed to take alternative routes to reach their destination after the road from Jehangir Chowk to Badshah Chowk was closed.

Pedestrians, including small school children, too had to take alternative route because of the restrictions.

The authorities have deployed sharp shooters with automatic weapons at all high rise buildings in and around the legislative complex, at Maulana Azad Road, Shergrahi, Badshah Chowk, Lal Chowk and Jehangir Chowk.

Official sources said they do not want to take any chance after the October 1, 2001 fidayeen attack on the complex in which more than 40 people were killed and scores injured.

Mediapersons were being frisked at two places, before they were allowed to enter the complex. Their passes issued by the Assembly and Council secretariat were also properly verified.

Militants have made a number of abortive bids to target the complex by firing rifle grenades and rockets from different areas.

However, each time the grenades and rockets missed the intended target and exploded either in river Jhelum or in mid-air without causing any damage.

UNI BAS VA KP1448