Eight CRPF bunkers removed from Srinagar

SRINAGAR - Eight paramilitary bunkers were removed from Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley Tuesday. It was part of a process to dismantle 16 bunkers in the city.

“Today eight bunkers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were removed from the city in accordance with the decision taken at the last unified headquarters meeting,” said a senior police officer here.

“In all, 16 bunkers will be removed from the city and the process would be completed within the next two-three days,” the officer said.

The process of dismantling bunkers was started from the densely populated Magarmal Bagh area of the city Tuesday morning.

Troops of the CRPF used crowbars and other tools to dismantle the bunkers constructed in 1993.

Residents in areas from where the bunkers were removed welcomed the move Tuesday.

“The removal of the bunker would now prevent traffic jams in our area and also allow free movement of the people who always feared reprisal from the security forces after a clash between the stone-pelting youths and the security forces,” said Abdul Majid, 45, a resident of Magarmal Bagh neighbourhood in Srinagar.

The objective of constructing bunkers was to dominate the densely populated areas and prevent the guerrillas from carrying out attacks against the security forces.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has been a strong advocate for removal of bunkers from urban areas to ease tension between people and the security forces here.

In the ongoing unrest that started here June 11 so far 109 people have died because of fierce clashes between the security forces and mobs challenging the authority of the state.

Violent mobs during the last nearly four months have engaged security forces in stone pelting, attacks on paramilitary camps, police stations and arson of public property.