Jammu: High alert sounded in run up to Republic Day

A high alert was sounded in Jammu city and surrounding areas today, with officials asking public to remain vigilant and cooperate with the increased security arrangements. The alert has been announced keeping in view the forth coming Republic Day celebrations and check-posts and frisking points have been established in Jammu as well as rural areas to ensure security.

Jammu Police has urged the public to co-operate with the police at nakas and frisking points and believe that the intensified security arrangements is a form of police harassment.

SSP (Jammu) Dr Sunil Gupta said schools in Jammu district have been asked not to allow strangers in their premises and educate students about taking relevant precautions. Gupta added that the general public should take basic preventive actions like not touching abandoned objects and should inform the police if they come across any suspicious objects, people or elements.

"Be alert while traveling in passenger vehicles, in crowded areas like bus stands, railway stations, shopping complexes, hospitals etc," the official said.

Gupta also said all SHOs and those incharge of police posts have been directed to remain present in their respective jurisdiction round the clock.

CORE SECURITY GROUP TAKES STOCK

Meanwhile, a core group security meeting held at Nagrota today took stock of the prevailing security measures south of the Pir



Panjal in Jammu in the run up to Republic Day. The meeting was co-chaired by the General Officer Commanding 16 (White Knight) Corps, Lt Gen AK Sharma and Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, Dr SP Vaid. The meeting was attended by Divisional Commissioner (Jammu) Dr Pawan Kotwal, IG Police (Jammu Zone), IG BSF and IG CRPF among other top officials from the Army, police and other security and intelligence agencies.

A detailed joint strategy was chalked out by the agencies to ensure peace and stability in the region and ensure incident-free Republic day.

'ARMY READY TO FACE CHALLENGES'

Lt Gen AK Sharma said the Army and its various formations deployed south of Pir Panjal have been pro-actively involved in maintaining peace and communal harmony in the region in complete synergy with civil administration. He also emphasized that the Army is ready to face any challenges whether on the Line of Control or in the hinterland, and is prepared in all respects to assist the civil administration.

Lt Gen AK Sharma and Dr SP Vaid commended the high levels of synergy in operations exhibited by all agencies in recent times. They encouraged all present to meet the security challenges and work towards enhancing confidence amongst the people. They further emphasised the requirement to be vigilant, alive and responsive to any developing security situation and ensure a peaceful and conducive environment in the region.