Srinagar, Mar 25 (KNS): With Srinagar and Anantnag Parliamentary constituencies proceeding for the parliamentary by-polls and the political parties having started its rallies, the authorities in the police here have beefed up security to instill confidence among the oters and foil any attempt by militants to disrupt exercise.
Sources in the police department told KNS that the police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in strength in the Valley especially in Srinagar Parliamentary constituency which is spread over three districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal in an effort to check militant activities ahead of the polling scheduled for April 9.
“Area domination along with checking of vehicles has been intensified to foil any attempt by militants to carry out an attack.
Since the campaigning is going on in its full swing, extra-caution has been taken for any untoward incident. We have also taken all necessary measures to foil any attempt by militants to disturb peace and ensure peaceful rallies and voting,” one of the senior police officials of the police department said.
A total of 3194 polling stations are being set up to enable near 27 lakh voters to cast the ballot in the two parliamentary constituencies of Srinagar and Anantang.
While 1559 polling stations have been identified in Srinagar, 1635 are being set up in Anantnag constituency.
In 2014 parliamentary polls, all the 1651 polling stations in Anantang parliamentary constituency were declared as hypersensitive. Out of the 1546 polling stations in Srinagar, 1021 were declared hypersensitive, 470 sensitive and 55 normal.
It is to mention here that the State Government has sent an request to the Union Home Ministry for at least 250 additional companies of para-military forces for peaceful conduct of by-election to two Lok Sabha seats of Srinagar and Anantnag, One of the government officials said that normally, the State had to manage by-polls security on its own.
However, Jammu and Kashmir being sensitive State and militancy-related violence up during first two and half months of this year, the State has sought additional forces for the elections.
Srinagar Lok Sabha seat will go to polls on April 9 and Anantnag on April 12. Counting will be held on April 15. The twin Lok Sabha seats comprised 31 Assembly segments and it would be endeavour of the Government to provide security to all candidates and their election rallies apart from the other stakeholders.
Experts believe that the holding of by-polls in Kashmir especially in volatile South Kashmir, which has seen worst voilence last year, is major challenge for the security agencies. (KNS)