Security Stepped Up In Srinagar For High-Stakes G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting

Enhanced security measures have been implemented by the security forces in Srinagar in preparation for the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting, which will be hosted by the city starting today (22 May).

The meeting will be a three-day summit, which will be held from 22 to 24 May and will see participation of delegates from several countries.

This is the third G20 Tourism Working Group meeting being held with the last two held in Gujarat's Rann of Kutch and West Bengal's Siliguri.

The administration of the Union Territory (UT) has tightened security in the entire Jammu and Kashmir. The security forces have put in place a three-tier security grid.

Drones are deployed for aerial surveillance in the city of Srinagar. National Security Guards (NSGs) and Marine Commandoes (MARCOS) are also deployed at several places including the venues of the event to prevent any terror incident.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) commandos are conducting mock drills in the area since Friday (19 May). MARCOS commandos are deployed to ensure meetings around the Dal Lake area goes smoothly.

“A three-tier security system is in place. We are also putting in place air anti-drone technology with the assistance of the NSG and Army, and for the water body — Dal Lake — we have the MARCOS team in place in addition to the police," Additional Director of Police (ADGP) Vijay Kumar said.

"Police, BSF, CRPF and SSB personnel have been deployed on the ground to ensure a peaceful event," ADGP Kumar adds.

One another security officer said, "Massive area-domination exercises have been carried out in the area around and routes leading up to the venue, as well as, in the vulnerable spots of the city".

Random checking of vehicles are being carried out in various parts of the city and schools have been closed for three days as a precaution.

These security measures are coming after recent string of terror incidents in the Poonch-Rajouri area in Jammu which left 17, including seven civilians and ten security personnel dead, including five from the special forces.

According to reports, it is believed that two Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist groups are operating in the Kandi forests of Rajouri, since 2021. The fact that the two terrorist groups have been operating in the area since 2021, without being flushed out is a cause for concern.

As a response, the government has unveiled new plans to strengthen the second tier of the anti-infiltration grid, including the addition of over six hundred posts within the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

The G20 Working Group meeting will focus on five key areas, Green Tourism, Digitalisation, Skills, MSMEs and Destination Management.

Delegates from various G20 countries including United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy, France, Canada and Australia will take in the summit. However, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and China has stayed away from the meeting.