Lal Chowk, Srinagar’s nerve centre often used for political articulation during past nearly seven decades, besides being the business hub of Jammu and Kashmir’s main town, was on Friday cleared of sandbag bunkers and pillboxes of security forces laid in early 1990 following the outbreak of insurgency.
Officials said the move is part of the government’s resolve to make Srinagar, the city of great antiquity spread-eagled around the vast expanse of the once blue waters of the river Jhelum and projected in the tourism brochures as a son et lumiere, a “security forces bunker-free” place “in consideration of the huge upturn in the security situation,” asserted minister of state for home Nasir Aslam Wani.
The minister joined senior Jammu and Kashmir police, CRPF and civil administration officials at a colourful function held beside Palladium cinema, to mark the demolition of security forces’ bunkers.
Palladium, now in ruins, is one of the oldest theatres of Srinagar, requisitioned as temporary barracks 22 years ago by the BSF which was replaced by the CRPF few years ago after the paramilitary force was withdrawn from the summer capital.
Local traders and tourism officials have welcomed the move, saying the presence of the sandbag bunkers and pillboxes would send a wrong message out about the ground realities in Srinagar as Lal Chowk is frequented by tourists and other visitors to the city that should tell the story of the love of the Mughal emperors for the paradise vale; a place of river bridges, of gardens in bloom and lakes rimmed by houseboats; at once a business centre and holiday resort some 5,200 feet above sea level.
Mr Wani said that, however, a police post will be established in Lal Chowk and there will be enough presence of security forces for the security of Srinagar. He said that the city centre has witnessed the highest causality during 22 years of militancy in the state. He also said that so far 40 bunkers have been removed from Srinagar city after improvement in the security situation and that the credit for it goes to the people and also the police and CRPF who made concerted efforts over the years towards restoration of normalcy in the summer capital and elsewhere in the Kashmir Valley.
The minister further said that the top priority of the government was to ensure security and safety of the people. “That is why in spite of removal of the bunkers the security forces will continue to ensure the security of the city,” he said.
Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda said the strength of the CRPF would be reduced in Srinagar and not pulled out completely as such. Also, a police post would be set up at the defunct Palladium cinema. End it