Ishfaq-ul-Hassan
SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 7—Forget smart city, Srinagar has been turned into a city of bunkers.
Two months after the abrogation of article 370, historic city of Srinagar has literally been converted into a garrison with new fortified bunkers coming up at important road junctions.
Scores of sand pickets and potable bullet proof bunkers have come up at vulnerable areas across the summer capital city. Some of these bunkers have been built in Srinagar’s nerve-centre including Jehangir Chowk, Iqbal Sabzi Mandi, Bakshi Stadium, SMHS hospital, Karan Nagar and other areas.
“These bunkers will help in maintaining peace in those areas where security presence was negligible. We need to augment our forces on ground. Bunkers are important part of the security drill,” said a security force officer
This is after almost 10 years when security forces have laid a network of bunkers in Kashmir. Almost all the bunkers were removed or dismantled in the city after Omar Abdullah government took over reins of power in 2008.
The then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who was also holding the portfolio of Home Minister, even gave a statement in Legislative Assembly saying they want to reduce the footprints of security forces since there is improvement in the situation.
More than 78,000 troops of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel were inducted into the state in the run-up to August 5 when Parliament scrapped Article 370 and divided Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories.
The additional forces included those troops who were brought for Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies elections last year. Several schools and colleges have been converted into residential camps where additional forces have been stationed.
Sources said the additional forces will remain stationed in the valley till security returns to normal. “These bunkers will be removed once the situation returns to normalcy,” a senior security official said.
CRPF has huge presence in Kashmir. The paramilitary force performs dual duties of maintaining law and order duties, and conducting anti-militancy operations jointly with army and police.
For the last two months, Kashmir is simmering against the abrogation of special status. Every morning markets open for three hours to allow people to buy essentials. During the day markets remain shut and public transport off the roads. Only private vehicles are seen plying in the safe areas. Unlike 2010 and 2016, no organization or leader is apparently guiding the agitation.
