Srinagar: To provide and safe secure atmosphere to pilgrims, undertaking the annual yatra to holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir, authorities have made unprecedented security arrangements.
More than 200 additional companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been already arrived and deployed for yatra duty right from Bagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu to holy Cave.
Meanwhile, camp directors, who will be deployed on both traditional Pahalgam and shortest Baltal routes, participated in three-day orientation camp orgnised here.
Though there is no specific input from intelligence agencies about any militant threat during the yatra, commencing from June 29, security forces donot want to take any chance, particularly in south Kashmir, where militant activities have witnessed a surge in the recent past, official sources said.
Army has already taken position on higher reaches on both yatra routes to foil any militant attempt to disrupt the yatra. The deployment has been made in addition to security forces already present in these areas for counter insurgency operations.
A senior CRPF officer said that 200 additional troops of the force have brought from different parts of the country and deployed for the yatra duty. Besides guarding base camps, CRPF would also be deployed on Srinagar-Jammu national. CRPF personnel would provide security from Nunwan Pahalgam base camp to Holy Cave besides from Baltal base camp to cave shrine.
Besides, he said, CRPF will provide security to yatra convoy from Jammu to base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal.
Meanwhile, officials said that capacity of 30 bed hospital has been set up at Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on traditional Pahalgam track.
They said 51 medical aid centres have been established throughout the 32 kms of track.
These centres will have adequate stock of essential drugs with portable oxygen cylinders. In addition to this, the building of Yatri Niwas at Pahalgam will be handed over to health department for creating health infra. One Critical Care ambulance will also be placed at Pahalgam.
Meanwhile, Governor N N Vohra, who is chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) held an extensive interaction with senior Civil and Police officers who have been appointed as Camp Directors, Additional Camp Directors and Deputy Camp Directors to supervise the functioning of Camps located in the Yatra area.
The interaction was held at the conclusion of the 3 day Orientation-cum -Training Programme organized for them by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SASB Umang Narula yesterday.
Governor advised them to work in close coordination with the District, Civil and Police Authorities and with all concerned State Government Departments to ensure smooth conduct of the forthcoming Yatra. These officers will man theYatra Camps located at Nunwan, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Panjtarni, Sangam, Lower Holy Cave, Holy Cave, Brarimarg, Domel, Baltal and Neelgrath.
Governor advised the officers to carefully understand their duties and responsibilities and ensure strict enforcement of all prescribed regulations to ensure the safety of the pilgrims, especially in the event of any adverse weather conditions.
He emphasized that there should be strict enforcement of Access Control at Chandanwari and Domel Gates, so that no Yatri without a valid Registration is allowed to cross the Control Gates at Chandanwari and Domel. The Governor directed the officers to provide all required assistance to the pilgrims and enable them to complete their journeys without facing any avoidable difficulty.
Mr Narula, informed the Governor that during the three day training
programme the officers were briefed on all important aspects of their roles and responsibilities for Yatra 2017.
This was done in discussion sessions with Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Security; Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir; Secretary Tourism; Director Health Services, Kashmir; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; officers of BSF and CRPF, India Meteorological Department, District Administration of Ganderbal and Anantnag and the Army.
