Srinagar, Aug 26: A thick security blanket covered Srinagar city on the eve of the three-day visit of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during which he is to declare open the inter-state council meeting being held for the first time outside the Union capital. Security around the Sher-e-Kashmir international convention complex, the venue of the two-day ISC meeting, and Grand Palac Hotel on the banks of the world famous Dal Lake where 400-odd VIPs would be lodged was further tightened today with special protection group (SPG) teams from Delhi having virtually taken over, official sources said.
Paramilitary BSF and CRPF were assisting the state police in maintaining strict vigil in the area where the main functions would be held in particular and the entire city in general.
There is a virtual siege as no one is allowed to move on the boulevard road leading to the two venues.
Special gadgets have been installed at SKICC and Grand Palace Hotel to keep watch on the activities of the people. Patrolling in the area, particularly in the waters of Dal Lake, has been intensified and even the movement of civilians in the water body near the venues has been banned, the sources said.
A special two-tier frisking system with sophisticated equipment have been placed on the entry points and the nearby hillock overlooking the Dal Lake has also been sanitised and taken over by the paramilitary and state police. Bureau Report