Governor reviews security ahead of Amarnathji yatra

TNN Bureau. Updated: 5/22/2019 11:32:42 AM

SRINAGAR: Ahead of its commencement from July 1 from both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes, the security arrangements for the annual ilgrimage to the revered Shri Amarnathji cave shrine were reviewed in detail by Governor Satya Pal Malik at a high-level meeting convened at Raj Bhavan here.
The meeting was attended by Governor's Advisor K Vijay Kumar, Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam, senior Army, police, central armed police and intelligence officials.
Malik, who is also the chairman of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), stressed on the need for all concerned agencies to be alert and effectively coordinate during the yatra.
During the meeting, detailed presentations were made by the security agencies on the emerging security environment in the state in view of the objectives of adversary agencies, the spokesman said.
The meeting held extensive discussions with regard to preparedness for meeting any unforeseen situation arising in the Yatra area; deployment of ROP for safe movement of Yatris; Corridor security & Area domination especially beyond ROP hours; functioning of the Joint Control Rooms at every Yatra Camp; linking up Joint Control Rooms with the MET Department and the District Disaster Management Units; deployment of Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs) of the State Police along with Rescue Teams of various Security Forces at identified locations on both the Yatra routes; deployment of well equipped Fire Fighting teams at pre-determined points; installation of X-Ray Baggage Scanning units at appropriate locations; Access Control Arrangements at Neelgrath, Panjtarni and Pahalgam helipads; Bar code enumeration points; telecommunication facilities along the Yatra routes etc.
The meeting discussed the enforcement of an effective Access Control System at the Baltal and Nunwan Base Camps and at the Domel and Chandanwari Access Control Gates; effective traffic regulation from Lakhanpur Check Post onwards through augmentation of the existing strength of Traffic Police; Air Traffic Control arrangements for the heli-services from the Pahalgam and Baltal to Panjtarni; transit camps arrangements; installation of CCTVs at various Camps and at the Access Control Gates; etc.
Governor directed DGP and the Divisional Administration to ensure rapid and unhindered movement of validly registered Yatris right from the time they enter into the State and travel to the Holy Cave, and to ensure against their facing any avoidable inconvenience. He emphasized that all agencies undertake a thorough review of all required arrangements for promptly dealing with any arising disaster situation and, for this purpose, evolve clear Standard Operating Procedures which would be strictly followed by all the stakeholders, including the District Administration and Security Forces.
Governor also stressed that all security agencies should rectify the deficiencies, if any, observed during previous Yatras and provide fool proof security cover to yatris during their forward & return journey.
Governor directed Director General of Police; Divisional Commissioners of Jammu & Kashmir Divisions; Inspector General of Police of Jammu & Kashmir Divisions to ensure wide publicity of the Advisories relating to safety & security of Yatris, including the cut-off timings through print and electronic media & particularly display these at Railway Station Jammu; Yatri Niwas Bhagwati Nagar Jammu; Lakhanpur Checkpost; the On- spot Registration Counters at Jammu & Srinagar and at Base Camps of Baltal,Nunwan and Panjtarni through Public Address System by the Information Department of respective District Administration.


Comment on this Story