ROPs asked to keep close watch on suspects at check points, say officials; we have announced a general alert in view of VVIP’s visit to country, says a top cop
Srinagar : An in-house general alert has been sounded by the Jammu and Kashmir police across the newly carved out Union Territory (UT) to ensure peaceful visit of United States president Donald Trump to India. The security personnel have also been directed to maintain strict vigil to keep a close watch on the suspects and to ensure militants are prevented from carrying out any “mischief” on during the two-day visit of Trump to India.
According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), US president arrived on a two-day visit to India today amid multiple security cover in place for his smooth visit. Recently, during a press conference, J&K’s Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh had stated that he was hopeful that Trump’s visit passes off peacefully and Kashmir remains peaceful during his two day-stay in India.
A top police officer told—KNO that a “general alert” has been sounded across the UT to ensure militants are prevented from carrying out any misadventure. “This is a general alert not a high alert. This is a rule and a protocol whenever any Very Very Important Person (VVIP) visits country’s any part,” he said, wishing not to be named.
Sources in the police said that amid inputs that militants may try to show their presence on the eve of Trump’s visit to India, in-charges of all the police stations across Jammu region have been asked not to leave their stations till further orders.
Interestingly, in March 2000, 35 Sikhs were killed in Chatisinghpora village of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district during the visit of former US president Bill Clinton to India.
An official said to ensure peaceful passage of Trump’s visit to India, additional troops have been deployed at various points in Srinagar and elsewhere in Kashmir, especially in the vulnerable areas.
“Surveillance and area domination exercises have been intensified in some areas,” he said. “Similarly, mobile vehicle check points have been set up at several places while as Road Opening Parties (RoPs) have been directed to maintain highest level of watch on suspects.” He said security arrangements have been beefed up as a “precautionary measure.”
Pertinently, the All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) has appealed to the community members to maintain vigil. “The visit of a high profile foreign personality especially that from the US, leads to fear psychosis and panic among the Sikhs living in the Kashmir. The Sikhs are feeling insecure and they fear that something untoward might happen,” APSCC chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said in a statement on Saturday. He was referring to the Chatisinghpora massacre of 2000—(KNO)
