J&K: ADGP chairs high-level meeting in Anantnag to review security of National Highways 

Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 9 (ANI): The Additional Director General of Police of the Kashmir zone on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting with the officers of Police, security forces and other intelligence agencies in Anantnag district to review the security of National Highway and Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) being followed by security forces during convoy movement, an official statement said. 

The meeting was attended by GOC Victor Force, IG Traffic, Jammu and Kashmir, Army’s Sector Commander 1st, DIG Police SKR, DIG BSF, DIG SSB, DIG CRPF Awantipora, DIG CRPF Anantnag, DIG BSF, DDIB, Additional Commander SB, SsPs of Anantnag, Kulgam districts, SP Awantipora, SP Cargo and other officers.

ADGP Vijay Kumar advised all the participating officers to conduct a joint survey of NHW viz a viz Convoy movement in their AOR and recommend some changes where and if possible, to modify the SOPs in order to maintain a smooth flow of civilian traffic during Convoy movements without unnecessary hindrance, the official statement further said. 

During the meeting, ADGP Kumar advised the SSPs and CAPFs/Army Officers to identify the spots on the National Highways where engineering intervention is required in raising heights of dividers, direct lateral entries and U-turns on the National Highways, it added. 

They were also advised to identify the spots where a service lane is required and also send joint recommendation where an underpass or overpass are required to maintain the smooth flow of traffic on the National Highways.

The ADGP further directed the district heads to identify the spots where additional CCTVs can be installed.

The chairing officer also directed them to employ SHOs/SDPOs on NHW during convoy movement at vulnerable spots. The officers were also stressed by the ADGP to discourage illegal construction and to assist civil administration and national highway authorities in removing such illegal structures. 

During the meeting, it was decided that no civil traffic would be stopped on the National Highway during the VVIPs /Senior Officers movement on National Highway as an immediate measure and also to suggest additional measures for the smooth flow of civilian traffic in a phased manner.

The officers participating in the meeting were also advised to conduct a joint survey and prepare SOPs to facilitate the free flow of traffic without compromising the security of Convoys in a phased manner. These new SOPs would be submitted to higher-ups for further approval.

Besides, special focus be given to lateral entries on the National Highway and additional Nafri may be deployed on laterals. In order to maintain a smooth flow of vehicles, ADGP Kashmir urged Traffic police to deploy additional manpower on important/busy laterals.

All district SsPs were also instructed to generate specific inputs to launch anti-terrorist operations along the sides of NHW and take legal action against OGWs operating in these areas.