G 20 meeting: Srinagar under tight security blanket

Srinagar is under an unprecedented security blanket. Marine commandos and National Security Guards (NSG) have been deployed in the region as part of the ground-to-air security cover ahead of the G20 Working Group meeting on Monday.

Marines, also known as Marcos, have taken over the security of Dal Lake, around the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), the venue for the G20 meeting.

NSG commandos have been conducting area domination exercises along with police and paramilitary forces. On Thursday, NSG carried out searches at Lal Chowk.

Army, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Jammu and Kashmir Police are part of the security grid amid reports that terrorists may try to disrupt the G20 event in Kashmir.

“We have made three-tier security arrangements. Anti-drone equipment is being deployed with the help of NSG and army. For Dal Lake security, Marcos are being deployed besides the police. Police, BSF, CRPF and SSB are being deployed to ensure an incident-free event,” said Vijay Kumar, Additional Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir.

Around 100 delegates are expected to attend the 3rd G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Srinagar on May 22-24. Sources say China and Turkey are likely to skip the meeting