The Hindu : Front Page : Foolproof security for bus passengers: Centre

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 03, 2005

Front Page

Front Page

Foolproof security for bus passengers: Centre

By Vinay Kumar

— AP

BANDOBUST FOR BUS: One of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad buses set to roll on April 7 passes on its way to Srinagar from Jammu on Saturday.

NEW DELHI, APRIL 2. As the countdown for the proposed Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus has begun, security and intelligence agencies have started reviewing the security measures being taken to provide a safe journey to passengers. The historic bus service is scheduled to be flagged off by the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, in Srinagar on April 7.

Coordinated by the Union Home Ministry, the security measures for the inaugural bus service came up for a quick review at a high-level meeting held by the Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil. The meeting reviewed the arrangements, particularly in the wake of the threats issued by some militant outfits. Mr. Patil said India would not be cowed down by such threats and assured foolproof security to the bus passengers.

Officials said a ``dry run'' of the bus would be conducted on Sunday from Srinagar to the Kamman Bridge. All measures, including road opening parties, aerial surveillance, deployment of security forces along the route and armed escorts would be taken to ensure the safety and security of the passengers.

Well-placed sources said quick reaction teams of the Army would be deployed at strategic locations and extra vigil would be kept along the newly-repaired bridges and culverts. As such, the route which passes through Pattan, Baramulla and Uri has even otherwise ``heavy deployment'' of the Army, the Border Security Force and the Central Reserve Police Force.

Official sources called the threats a manifestation of ``desperation and frustration'' as the hardliners and fundamental elements were getting sidelined and increasingly being seen as ``killjoys'' by the people in Jammu and Kashmir. The spirit of the people was high as more and more members of the divided families are expected to line up for the India-Pakistan bus ride.

``Threats are a desperate attempt, it is a do or die situation for the militant outfits which used to feel elated after giving a bandh or boycott call in the Kashmir Valley. But the situation has changed as the peace process is progressing well,'' an official said. The Union Home Ministry has asked the Jammu and Kashmir Government to give individual assurances of safety to all 29 passengers travelling in the bus on April 7.

Sources said all measures had been taken to foil any attempts by militant outfits such as the Al Arifeen, the Al Nasireen and the Farzandan-e-Millat which have warned the people not to travel by the bus and threatened to turn it into a ``coffin.'' Though the denial of permission by the Pakistan Government to political leaders such as Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti to travel by the bus may have provided a great relief to the security agencies, there is no question of lowering the guard.

Sources said the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Government had put up hoardings and billboards welcoming the passengers from the other side of the Line of Control conveying the message of goodwill and a call for everlasting friendship between the two neighbouring countries.

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