HM chairs high-level meeting in Delhi to review arrangements
Calls for multi-layered Security Grid along pilgrimage route
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, June 12: Union Home Minister Amit Shah today directed extensive use of modern technologies like drones, CCTV surveillance, advanced monitoring systems, and other technological tools in security of Shri Amarnath Ji yatra beginning in the South Kashmir Himalayas from July 3 and will last till August 28.
He issued a series of directions on security and other arrangements for annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji at a high-level meeting in New Delhi which among others was attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Director Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, the Directors General of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Army, and the Union Territory administration of Jammu & Kashmir.
"An integrated and impregnable security cover should be put in place for the yatra through the coordinated efforts of all security agencies,'' Shah said at the meeting, adding that the traditional security framework should be further strengthened through the extensive use of modern technologies such as drones, CCTV surveillance, advanced monitoring systems, and other technological tools.
He directed that a multi-layered Security Grid be established along the yatra route by Jammu & Kashmir Police, paramilitary forces and other security agencies.
Asserting that the movement of pilgrim batches should be regulated strictly in accordance with prevailing weather conditions and forecasts, Shah emphasized that robust security arrangements must be ensured not only along the yatra route but also at other major tourist destinations, so that pilgrims can enjoy tourism activities safely and without inconvenience.
During the pilgrimage, the Union Home Minister said, senior officers of all paramilitary forces and JKP should remain continuously present at camp sites to oversee and monitor all arrangements. He also emphasized that adequate arrangements must be ensured for all essential services, including pilgrim registration, accommodation, healthcare facilities, and disaster management.
The 57-day-long yatra will start on July 3 and conclude on August 28 coinciding with Raksha Bandhan and Sharavan Purnima. Information regarding yatra registration and pilgrim assistance can be obtained from the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board website.
"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government is fully committed to ensure robust security and a smooth pilgrimage experience for the devotees undertaking Shri Amarnath Ji yatra,'' the Home Minister said.
The officers informed that arrangements have been made for the registration of local persons and animals associated with the yatra, and that QR code-enabled identity cards will be issued to them. In addition, camps will be organized for the health examination and fitness assessment of the animals engaged in yatra-related activities.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has already sanctioned deployment of 670 companies of paramilitary forces for Shri Amarnath yatra security arrangements. The paramilitary companies have already started reaching Jammu and Kashmir and the deployment will be completed in next few days.
Besides paramilitary forces, JKP and Army will also play crucial role in security arrangements for annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji.
Sources said all arrangements for the pilgrimage will be final nearly a week ahead of the start of the yatra.
Going by the heavy influx of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir and rush for registration of Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage, the authorities are expecting good number of yatris to reach for darshan of holy Ice Lingam of Lord Shiva in South Kashmir Himalayas this year.
In Jammu, the deployment will start right from Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir. Along with police, the paramilitary companies will guard Pathankot-Jammu and Jammu-Srinagar National Highways, Railway Station, Airport, Bus Stand and Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas from where the pilgrims take off in the morning in convoy amid tight security arrangements.
In Kashmir, tight security arrangements are being made at base camps of Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam), the twin tracks and the holy cave shrine of Lord Shiva in South Kashmir Himalayas besides all other places meant for stay and movement of the pilgrims.
