High Security, Frisking, Seizures in J&K Ahead of Amit Shah's Visit

Srinagar: Authorities have heightened security measures across Jammu and Kashmir union territory in the wake of fresh escalation of violence, following which police and paramilitary have increased security checks, frisking, and seized hundreds of two-wheelers in the region, reeled with uncertainty.

The increase in the security vigil also comes ahead of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Kashmir. Shah is expected to visit on October 23 for two days. He is likely to hold meetings with Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha and senior officials of police, army and paramilitary forces.

This is his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since Article 370 and Article 35A were abrogated, and the region was divided into two union territories on August 5, 2019. The decision was announced on the floor of the Indian parliament by Shah despite opposition by regional political parties like National Conference and People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Jammu and Kashmir police and paramilitary forces have been increased across Kashmir near important buildings, major roads, entry and exit points of districts and towns, and critical military installations to thwart and intercept the movement of militants.

According to a police statement, the Director-General of Police has directed police officers to remain on “extra alert” and “strengthen and augment the intelligence” and security grids in their respective areas for the security of the people.

“The officials of the police and the paramilitary have been directed to maintain close surveillance and track of such elements and bring them to justice as quickly as possible through coordinated measures,” a police officer said.

The security is heightened after multiple targeted civilian killings by the militant group The Resistance Front (TRF), which the police consider an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Over 30 civilians have been killed this year in violence. In October alone, 12 civilians have been killed along with 17 militants and ten soldiers in separate incidents, making it one of the worst this year.

As many as 11 civilians, including minority groups and non-local workers, were killed in October, triggering security concerns and the immigration of non-locals from the region. However, the J&K Police has claimed that it carried out 11 operations after the civilian killings and killed militants, including those involved in these attacks.

In the wake of these measures, people in Kashmir, especially in Srinagar, have expressed their displeasure against random security checks, arbitrary detentions, frisking and seizure of motorcycles. The authorities have also deployed women CRPF personnel on the roads to check women commuters in public and private transport.

Many claimed they were detained and their motorbikes seized by police despite carrying all documents. Others said the police is working arbitrarily, bringing inconvenience and putting common people, especially students, at risk.

“What is this all about @JmuKmrPolice? Why are the bikers who ride with all required documents and follow all norms harassed and detained? How can you detain and arrest the movement of daily commuters without any offence on their part? What have you turned Kashmir into?” a former J&K minister Ruhullah Mehdi wrote on Twitter.