*Top officials reaching Srinagar for assessment
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 3: Top Central Government officers dealing with G20 event are reaching Srinagar for high-level review of May 22-24 event on Tourism Working Group (TWG) while Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today held high-level review of security situation in the Valley and will tomorrow review G20 security arrangements specifically.
Officials told the Excelsior that top Central Government officers engaged with G20 events being held across the country will reach Srinagar and review arrangements for TWG meeting of G20 nations which will be held at Srinagar from May 22-24 on May 5.
Top civil and police officials from Jammu and Kashmir will attend the meeting.
G20 meeting is first major international event scheduled to be held in Jammu and Kashmir post abrogation of special status of erstwhile State and its bifurcation into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
“The G20 officials will hold detailed review of three days event by inspecting venues where the functions will be held, the places they will visit, their travel from one place to another, boarding and lodging and security etc,” the officials said.
A large number of international delegates besides Central officials are likely to attend the event, they said, adding only China may miss the event just like it did in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh. However, China hasn’t found any support from any other member country.
While the Government has almost finalized all arrangements for G20 event, it is now trying to ensure fool-proof security arrangements for the international delegates .
“Security for G20 event may not be a big issue. The problem is that the militants are planning to carry out strikes at other places ahead of G20 event to create trouble just like they did by targeting an Army vehicle at Bhatta Durrian in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district in which five Army bravehearts sacrificed their lives and another one was injured,” sources said, adding that security arrangements for all such evil designs of the militants are being discussed.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today reviewed security arrangements in the Kashmir valley with top civil and police officials of Kashmir division at Civil Secretariat in Srinagar.
Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Home Secretary R K Goyal, DGP Dilbag Singh, Divisional Commissioner Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar and all 3 DIGs of Kashmir including Sujit Kumar, Vivek Gupta and Rayees Mohammad Bhat attended the meeting among others.
“All aspects of security scenario were discussed at the meeting,” sources said, adding that senior civil and police officials gave detailed feedback to the Lieutenant Governor.
The LG directed for eliminating the remaining militants and expediting investigation in UAPA cases.
Last week, Sinha had held similar security review meeting of Jammu division at the Civil Secretariat.
Officials said specific review of G20 event security and other arrangements is scheduled to be taken tomorrow by the Lieutenant Governor.
The Government wants to make fool-proof security and other arrangements for G20 event.
“Specialized Force and anti-drone technology from New Delhi will be deployed in Srinagar and tourist places where G20 delegates will visit. Additional paramilitary forces from within the Union Territory will also be relocated and deployed in Srinagar, Gulmarg and other vulnerable areas to ensure peaceful meeting,” sources said.
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