Srinagar, May 10: Ahead of G20 summit in Kashmir, tight security arrangements are being placed in Srinagar. High end drones, CCTV cameras and checkpoints are being placed at multiple locations in and around the city to ensure peaceful event, officials on Wednesday said.
A police officer at Police Control Room (PCR) Kashmir told Rising Kashmir that in view of the G20 summit, the security arrangements are in the final stage and 60 percent of work has been completed. From high tech cameras to drones, all things are being streamlined for smooth conduct of this mega summit, he said.
“We have devised a special security plan and accordingly the deployment of forces would remain in place for smooth conduct of this mega international function,” he said.
Presently, both police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have intensified patrolling, vehicle checking, and frisking at various flashpoints in Srinagar and adjacent districts.
The Officer said water bodies including river Jhelum and Dal Lake will be dominated by Marine Commandos (MARCOS) for strong security cover in and around the summit venues.
“NSG commandos will be used for counter-fidayeen attacks, along with the special operations group (SOG). Specialised NSG teams for counter-drone operations will be deployed at all venues,” he said.
The police officer said as part of the security plan CRPF is conducting daily security drills around the venue. The drills include anti-mine search and the use of trained sniffer dogs which are being used to sanitise the place.
“Bullet-proof vehicles are placed at all the entry and exit points of the venue. Soldiers as well as drones are involved in security arrangements to ensure 24×7 vigil,” he said.
Apart from security measures, the J&K Police has specially trained around 600 personnel to understand the tactics and strategies used in invisible policing.
“They will complete their two week training course at Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy Udhampur this week. They will be deputed at various places at the venues. Most of them will be doing their duties in civies to ensure comfort for the delegates,” he said.
G20’s tourism working group is scheduled to meet in Srinagar between May 22 and May 24. The meet is expected to be one of the most high-profile events hosted in Jammu and Kashmir recently.
The meetings will take place at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre. Delegates will visit Gulmarg in North Kashmir during their stay.
On May 02, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar stressed officials for the need to be vigilant and take preventive measures to avert any untoward incident during the upcoming G20 summit to be held in Kashmir.
He also advised for additional security measures to be placed at the vulnerable locations to avoid any untoward incident during the G20 summit.
Addressing a joint meeting with the officers of Police, intelligence agencies and security forces at PCR Srinagar, ADGP Kumar reviewed arrangements to be adopted for safe and smooth conduct of upcoming G-20 being hosted at Srinagar.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the G20 nations collectively account for 85 percent of global GDP, 75 percent of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population, making it a premier forum for economic cooperation.
India assumed the G20 Presidency on the 1st of December, 2022, from Indonesia, and will convene the G20 leaders’ summit for the first time this year.
