Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, a multi-tier security setup is in place in Srinagar to ensure a peaceful event.

Modi will arrive in Srinagar on Thursday and it will be his first visit to Kashmir after the J&K’s special status was scrapped in August 2019 . Soon after arriving in Srinagar, he will address a public rally at Bakshi Stadium.

According to BJP leaders the rally would be attended by around two lakh people.

“There are enhanced security measures and because a very high profile visit is taking place, naturally, all precautions are being taken by multiple agencies,” a security official said.

He added the major focus of heightened security arrangements remains the Bakshi stadium and its adjoining areas. Aerial surveillance is also being carried out around Bakshi stadium and its surrounding areas.

At various places in the city, the police and CRPF were seen stopping the vehicles and the commuters were asked to dismount for frisking.

The forces have been also placed on the roof-tops of several buildings to keep track any suspect movement on the roads, officials said, adding security in all other districts has also been beefed up.

Many residents alleged several two-wheelers in Srinagar were seized by police on Tuesday and they were asked to collect their vehicles from the police after March 7.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders are gearing up for the March 7 rally and they have started decorating Srinagar city with party flags and buntings to welcome the PM.

All the top BJP leaders are camping in Srinagar to ensure a grand public rally of PM.

BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh said that people in J&K are very enthusiastic about PM Modi’s visit.

“ Jammu and Kashmir was given a name of terrorism capital of India and now it is now known as tourism capital of country. This is all because of the policies of Narendra Modiji. J&K is developing fast.. People in J&K are very enthusiastic to hear PM after he scrapped the chains of Article 370.. And around 1.5 to 2 lakh people are attending the rally,” Chug said.

Sources said some 7000 employees from different government departments have been directed to turn up at the Bakshi stadium on March 7.

They said employees from different districts in the Valley are being also mobilized for the public rally.

(With UNI inputs)