G20 Summit: India is set to host a three-day G20 working group meeting on tourism in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar from Monday. Despite the crucial summit being held on May 22-24, neighboring Pakistan and its “all-weather friend” are trying to politicize the matter by raising the issue of abrogation of Article 370 from the Valley.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who recently attended a meeting in Goa, visited PoK on Sunday and is likely to hold a so-called “protest rally in support of Kashmir”. Pakistan’s English daily Dawn quoted him after reaching PoK as saying that it is not possible for India to play an important role in the world by violating UN resolutions.
“At a time when India is holding a conference in Kashmir, I have been invited to address the assembly,” he said. This shows the fury of Pakistan. Besides this, Pakistan, China also opposed India’s decision to hold an important G20 event in Srinagar.
tight security
Tight security arrangements have been made in the Kashmir Valley to ensure that the high-profile event passes off peacefully.
He said the route from the Srinagar airport to the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Center (SKICC) – the venue of the meeting – was extensively redesigned with G20 logos painted on the walls and hoardings put up to welcome the delegates. Is.
Officials said the Gulmarg tourist resort in north Kashmir, where a meeting is also scheduled, has also been beautified. The authorities do not want to take any chances and have tightened security across the valley in view of the G20 meeting.
Officials said elite NSG and Marine commandos are assisting police and paramilitary forces in securing the venue. He said that a massive sanitization and area domination exercise has been carried out in the areas around the venues, along the route and in sensitive spots in the city.
Watchful eyes from Zabarwan hills to Dal Lake, Srinagar
Elite NSG counter-drone teams are scouring the skies, Marine commandos of the Navy are patrolling the picturesque Dal Lake and security personnel are keeping vigil on the ground to ensure the G20 meet is safe and secure.
Preparing to receive at least 60 delegates and 20 journalists from different parts of the world, authorities in militancy-hit Jammu and Kashmir have made elaborate arrangements for the third G20 Tourism Working Group meeting at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Center (SKICC). arranged. ,
With an aim to ensure minimum policing and maximum security, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has engaged the Army to cover the higher reaches of the Zabarwan range overlooking the meeting place and accommodation facilities for the guests.
Traffic police issued advisory
Authorities in Kashmir on Saturday issued a traffic advisory in view of the third meeting of the G20 Tourism Working Group to be held here next week. The advisory issued by Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic City Srinagar, Muzaffar Ahmad Shah will be effective on May 22 and 23.
As per the advisory, Boulevard Road around Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Center (SKICC) – the venue of the meeting – will remain a no-go zone for two days.
“Events related to the G20 meeting are scheduled to take place at SKICC on May 22 and 23 and a large number of delegates from India and abroad are expected to participate,” it added.
The advisory states that traffic movement will be restricted on Boulevard Road from Nehru Park and Gupkar to Kralsangari from 10:30 am to 10:00 pm on Monday.
LG Sinha appealed to the people to cooperate
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that the success of the forthcoming meeting of the Tourism Working Group of G-20 countries would increase tourist inflow and investment in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sinha, after inaugurating the six-km stretch of the Jhelum river front at Rajbagh, said all arrangements have been made with the cooperation of the people of the Union Territory.
Preparations have been made by the administration and people of JK for the event, he said, adding that the public has extended their cooperation.
The Lt Governor hoped that the administration would organize a grand program with the cooperation of the people, the success of which would send a message to the whole world.
Sinha said, “This will increase tourism and investment in the coming days and the whole world will get to see the traditional hospitality of Kashmir.”
(with inputs from agencies)
Also read: Pakistan’s big conspiracy to derail the G-20 meeting in Jammu and Kashmir exposed