SRINAGAR: With preparations for the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra entering the final phase, a high-powered delegation of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), headed by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, will visit Jammu and Kashmir on June 20 and 21 to undertake a comprehensive review of security and other arrangements for the annual pilgrimage.
Official sources said that the delegation will include Directors General and senior officers of major Central Armed Police Forces, including the CRPF, BSF and SSB, besides top officials of the Intelligence Bureau and the Ministry of Home Affairs. The team will carry out an on-ground assessment of the arrangements made for the 57-day pilgrimage beginning July 3 and concluding on August 28 on the occasion of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
According to sources, separate high-level review meetings have been scheduled in both divisions of the Union Territory. The Jammu division meeting is likely to be held on June 20, while the Kashmir division review is expected on June 21. Senior officers from the civil administration, Jammu and Kashmir Police, intelligence agencies and paramilitary forces will participate in the deliberations.
The visit comes days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a detailed review meeting in New Delhi on June 12 to assess preparedness for the Yatra. The meeting was attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and heads of various security and intelligence agencies.
Sources revealed that nearly 90 percent of the required security deployment has already been completed, while the remaining contingents are expected to reach their designated locations before June 20.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the deployment of 670 companies of paramilitary forces for the pilgrimage, with a major share of the personnel to be stationed across the Kashmir Valley to reinforce the multi-layered security framework.
Besides reviewing security arrangements, the MHA delegation will also inspect facilities related to accommodation, transportation, healthcare services, sanitation, communication systems, langar operations and emergency response preparedness to ensure smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
Authorities are anticipating a heavy influx of devotees this year amid increased tourist footfall and a steady rise in Yatra registrations for the darshan of the Holy Ice Lingam of Lord Shiva.
In the Jammu region, security arrangements will extend from Lakhanpur, the entry point to Jammu and Kashmir, covering the Pathankot-Jammu and Jammu-Srinagar National Highway stretches, railway stations, airports, bus terminals and Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, from where pilgrims leave daily in protected convoys.
All designated accommodation centres for pilgrims will remain under strict surveillance and security cover.
In Kashmir, elaborate security measures are being implemented at the Baltal and Nunwan base camps, along the traditional Pahalgam and Baltal routes, around the Holy Cave Shrine and at all transit and lodging points linked to the movement of pilgrims.
Sources further said that the overall security apparatus across Jammu and Kashmir is being further reinforced to neutralise any possible threat and ensure the conduct of a peaceful, secure and incident-free Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.
The forthcoming MHA review meetings are expected to focus on counter-terror operations, inter-agency intelligence sharing, surveillance along Yatra routes, convoy protection, medical preparedness, communication infrastructure and contingency planning to effectively respond to any unforeseen situation during the annual pilgrimage. (KNC)
