In a significant move to bolster security measures and streamline convoy movements on the National Highway, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, presided over a high-level meeting on Saturday in Anantnag district. The meeting brought together officers from various law enforcement agencies and intelligence services, marking a collaborative effort to ensure the safety of this vital transportation route.
Among the prominent attendees were the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Victor Force, Inspector General of Traffic for Jammu and Kashmir, and key military, police, and paramilitary officials from the region. The primary focus of the gathering was to assess the security arrangements in place on the National Highway and to review the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) being followed by security forces during convoy movements.
During the meeting, ADGP Vijay Kumar emphasized the need for a joint survey of the National Highway within their respective areas of responsibility. He encouraged officers to recommend any necessary changes to the SOPs in order to facilitate a smooth flow of civilian traffic during convoy movements, without unnecessary disruptions. The ADGP also directed officers to identify areas along the National Highway that require engineering intervention, such as raising divider heights, creating direct lateral entries, and constructing U-turns.
Additionally, the meeting saw discussions about the need for service lanes, underpasses, overpasses, and additional CCTV installations to improve traffic management and enhance security. ADGP Kashmir instructed officers to station Station House Officers (SHOs) and Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs) at vulnerable points on the National Highway during convoy movements.
A significant aspect of the meeting focused on discouraging and addressing illegal constructions along the National Highway. ADGP Vijay Kumar urged officers to work closely with the civil administration and the National Highways Authority to identify and remove such illegal structures promptly.
One notable decision made during the meeting was to ensure that civilian traffic would not be halted on the National Highway during the movement of VVIPs or senior officers. The attendees agreed to develop additional measures to facilitate the smooth flow of civilian traffic in a phased manner. These new SOPs will undergo further scrutiny and approval by higher authorities.
Furthermore, special attention will be given to lateral entries on the National Highway, with additional personnel deployed to busy intersections. Traffic police were urged to assign extra manpower to key lateral points to maintain a continuous flow of vehicles.
In a bid to strengthen security, ADGP Vijay Kumar instructed all district SSPs to generate specific intelligence and launch anti-militancy operations along the National Highway’s vicinity. Legal actions are to be taken against overground workers (OGWs) operating in these areas.
The meeting underscores the commitment of law enforcement agencies and security forces to safeguarding the National Highway while ensuring minimal disruption to civilian life. The collaborative efforts and proactive measures discussed during the gathering aim to enhance the overall security and efficiency of this vital transportation artery.