Amid tight security, R-Day venue shifted in Srinagar

For the first time, the Republic Day parade venue has been changed in the summer capital city of Srinagar.

The Jammu and Kashmir government said the parade will be held in Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium instead of Bakshi Stadium on January 26. Authorities said the ongoing renovation of Bakshi Stadium was the reason behind shifting the venue.

“There is renovation work going on in Bakshi Stadium. It is not possible to hold parade there. Everything is dug up,” said Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah, district development commissioner, Srinagar.

Usually security forces remain on toes to ensure security on Republic Day and Independence Day, given the militant threats and call for hartal by separatist groups.

Since the venue for the parade has been changed, the security forces have gone back to the drawing board to ensure fool-proof and incident-free R-Day function in Kashmir.

“We have reviewed security situation in the PCR. January 26 will be celebrated with great fervor. All arrangements have been made and its details can’t be shared,” said Dr Shesh Paul Vaid, director general of police, Jammu and Kashmir.

A massive security blanket has been thrown around Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium to sanitize the venue. Additional forces have been deployed to ensure foolproof security of …read more