Srinagar: Unprecedented security arrangements have been made for the 19th Convocation of Kashmir University at S K International Convention Centre (SKICC) on the bank of famed Dal Lake.
President Ram Nath Kovind addressed the convocation as Chief Guest. The convocation was presided over by Lt Governor of Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha who is also Chancellor of the KU.
All the roads, including Boulvard and Foreshore on the bank of Dal Lake and high security Gupkar road, leading to Raj Bhavan and SKICC remained closed since the President Kovind arrived here on Saturday on a four-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Similarly road from Nishat, including foreshore to SKICC has also been closed for any traffic or pedestrian movement. The traffic department had already announced traffic diversion during the stay of president in the city.
A correspondent, who visited at Badyari crossing at Dalgate, saw large number of security forces deployed there and nobody was being allowed to move towards Lake. The main road has been blocked with barbed wire and by parking bullet proof vehicles. Similar scene was witnessed on Gupkar, where security forces have closed the main road and people were being turned back. Gupkar is a high security zone where the residence of former Chief Ministers Dr Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti (official residence) besides top officers of intelligence agencies are located.
Even if anyone will manage to reach Nehru Park through interior areas, the main road towards the SKICC has been closed for any pedestrian or traffic movement. Large number of security forces were seen deployed on both sides of the Boulvard road to prevent any law and order problem.
Similarly, security forces were seen patrolling on boats in the Dal Lake keeping a close watch. Security forces have also been deployed in the houseboats in the Lake near SKICC.
Kovid has arrived here on Saturday on a four-day visit to UTs of Ladakh and J&K. However, he could not visit Drass-Kargil on Monday to pay homage to soldiers who made supreme sacrifice during 1999 Kargil war due to bad weather. He instead paid homage at War Memorial at Baramulla in north Kashmir, where traffic diversion was made. Later, he visited world famous ski resort of Gulmarg. (UNI)
