Kashmiri vendors in Kashi on security radar

Varanasi, Dec 21: Young Kashmiri shawl vendors merchandising their specialities in the holy city are now on the security radar following intelligence inputs about prospects of an attack on highly sensitive Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanwapi complex here by ultras dressed as vendors from the valley.

The issue came up at the quarterly meeting of standing committee on Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanwapi security here yesterday. If intelligence sources are to be believed fresh security inputs point towards possibility of youths from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), in the guise of vendors from Jammu and Kashmir, trying to strike sensitive areas like the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanwapi complex here.

The possibility of such a strike at the time when the entire government machinery is busy at the Ardh Kumbh in Allahabad is quite high, sources present at the meeting added.

Earlier, Additional Director General (Security) of Uttar Pradesh Police R K Tiwari reviewed the security arrangements at Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanwapi complex. During the inspection, the ADG instructed to keep the forces deployed on the complex on maximun alert.

Mr Tiwari also found the lighting arrangements on the complex ''inadequate'' and directed for its enhancement. Besides, special measures like creating zig-zag barricading between Dhundhiraj Ganesh and Saraswati Phatak entry points was also finalised.

In the meeting, it was decided to send a proposal to the union government through the state government for acquisition of seven buildings on the complex on prevailing commercial rates for enhanced security. Besides, the plan of equipping the Quick Reaction Teams of CRPF and police with sophisticated weapons like AK-47 rifles and carbines was also given final shape, sources added.

Interacting with mediapersons after the meeting, the ADG (Security) said the work on installation of more close circuit cameras in the three-layer security of the complex will be completed in a month or two. He also assured that efforts were on to end the crisis of boarding of CRPF personnel as the District Magistrate has assured that land will be acquired near the Babatpur airport here shortly to create permanent barracks for personnel involved in Gyanwapi security.

Mr Tiwari further said fencing will be done shortly around the Shringar Gauri shrine edging the Gyanwapi complex. The ADG also made it clear that forces deployed in the security at the complex will not be used for any other duty.

Apart from senior officials of CRPF, PAC and Intelligence Bureau, District Magistrate Rajiv Agrawal and Senior Police Superintendent Sujit Pandey also attended the meeting.

UNI