AMARNATHJI YATRA-2018 | As Centre vows iron fist, Guv reviews admin plans

Meets 35 Camp Directors; seeks alertness, synergy

SRINAGAR: With the security part of the annual pilgrimage being taken care of by almost 50000 security personnel-- 24,000 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) men assisted by over 25,000 personnel of Army, Border Security Force (BSF) and Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Governor N N Vohra on Sunday took stock of administrative arrangements as he met around 3 dozen Officers appointed Camp Directors to supervise various Yatra Camps.

Governor Vohra, also the Chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), had a two-hour interactive session with the 35 State Civil and Police officers who have been appointed as Camp Directors, Additional Camp Directors and Deputy Camp Directors for managing the Yatra Camps in the entire Shrine area.

Governor spoke to the officers about all the important issues regarding Yatra management and urged them to remain alert and prompt in dealing with any exigency, particularly in dealing with various categories of medical emergencies. He advised the officers to personally inspect each and every arrangement which is being made at the Camp placed under their charge and on the tracks falling within their respective jurisdictions. He directed them to devote particular attention to ensuring the supply of safe drinking water, power, disposal of garbage, fire and emergency services and the provision of round the clock medical care facilities.

These officers will supervise the camps located at Pahalgam Helipad, Nunwan, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Panjtarni, Sangam Down, Lower Holy Cave, Holy Cave, Brari Marg, Domel Baltal and Neel Grath Helipad,

Governor exhorted the officers to maintain effective coordination with the J&K Police, Central Police, Army, Air Force, Fire Services, Heli-Operators and with all the concerned State Government Departments and agencies for ensuring the smooth conduct of the Yatra. He also directed them to ensure enforcement of all prescribed regulations to secure the safety and security of the pilgrims, particularly if adverse weather conditions developed. Also, no plastic materials must be allowed to be used anywhere in the Yatra area.

Umang Narula, CEO, informed the Governor that in the past 4 days the Camp Directors, Additional Camp Directors and Deputy Camp Directors had been briefed on all important aspects of their roles and responsibilities for Yatra 2018 and that all of them shall leave tomorrow and be in their Camps by 5 PM on 18th June 2018.

Besides, 5 senior officers from CRPF, who shall be involved in the Security of Yatra Camps also participated in the Training Programme, Governor was told.

Governor directed the Camp Directors to maintain round the clock contact with the Shrine Board Control Room and with the other Camps to ensure that any arising problem is dealt with without any delay whatsoever.

In addition to their discussions with the SASB officers, the Camp Directors, Additional and Deputy Camp Directors had interactive sessions with A. K. Choudhary, ADGP Armed; Muneer Ahmad Khan, ADGP, Security, Home Guards & SDRF; Baseer Ahmad Khan, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Rigzian Samphal, Secretary to Government, Tourism Department; Ravi Deep Singh Sahi, IG, Srinagar Sector; S. S. Gularia, DIG, BSF; Dr. Saleem-ur-Rehman, Director General, Health Services, Kashmir; Altaf Ahmed Khan, Senior Superintendent of Police, Anantnag; Fayaz Hussain, Addl Superintendent of Police, Ganderbal; Col. Sanjeev Saroch, Victor Force, Col. Nishant Rathi, Signals; Nazir Ahmed, Dy G.M (Mob) BSNL; Bashir Ahmad, Deputy Director, Fire and Emergency Services; Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani and S.A.Raina, Chief Executive Officers of Pahalgam and Sonamarg Development Authorities respectively; Mohd Hussain Mir, Deputy Director, IMD; Bhupinder Kumar, Deputy Director, NDRF.