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J&K prepares for Republic Day... with guns, not roses

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

The Jammu and Kashmir government has stepped up security to ensure that Republic Day this year, unlike the last one, passes off peacefully.

January 26, incidentally, also marks the first anniversary of the Wandhama massacre in which 23 Pandits were killed.

If statistics of violence is any indication, 1999 seems a bad year. January has been a particularly violent month, with many killings of political activists and pro-government militants in the first 23 days: 21 political activists and state police personnel have been killed. And this while top security officials keep claiming that "militancy is on its last legs".

Ever since unrest broke out in the state, the Republic Day celebrations have been marked out for extra violence. Senior officers of the state and central security forces say vigil has been further increased to protect members of the Pandit community. In addition to the special police officers at the residences of Pandits, many units of the Border Security Force have been deployed in sensitive areas.

In Srinagar, there is a marked increase in preventive measures. Surprise checks and crackdowns can be seen all over the city. All eyes are fixed on the Bakshi stadium where the main function is held every year.

A vigil has also been mounted in Jammu, the winter capital, where the governor will unfurl the tricolour and take the salute.

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