Union Home Secretary orders unbreachable security, top facilities for Amarnath Yatris
Srinagar, Jun 17: Ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, which starts on July 3, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan Tuesday presided over a high-level security review meeting in Srinagar, emphasising foolproof preparations for the yatra besides the overall review of the current security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir.
He arrived here in the morning, chaired meetings at Police Headquarters, and left for New Delhi late in the evening.
During the meeting, the Home Secretary was apprised at length about the overall security arrangements for the Amarnath Yatra, which comprise additional force deployment, surveillance measures, route protection, and contingency planning.
He highlighted foolproof security arrangements and top-of-the-line facilities for the Amarnath Yatris.
Union Home Secretary Mohan instructed central and state security agencies to operate in smooth coordination with each other to provide safety and convenience to lakhs of yatris likely to take part in the Amarnath Yatra from July 3.
“Each yatri’s safety is of utmost priority. We have to provide multi-layered security with real-time monitoring and response system,” he said.
The Union Home Secretary ordered the deployment of sufficient central armed police forces (CAPFs), J&K Police officers, and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) along the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal.
He also urged sharing real-time intelligence, surveillance by drones, CCTV, and anti-sabotage inspections, especially on vulnerable sections along the 48-km Pahalgam route and the shorter but more steep Baltal tract.
The meeting was joined by top brass from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), J&K government, Army, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, and intelligence agencies.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat apprised the Home Secretary Mohan of the preparedness.
Besides security, the Union Home Secretary underscored making the “best possible arrangements” for the comfort and well-being of the yatris.
“It is not merely a question of safety but one of dignity and spiritual satisfaction. All yatris need to feel looked after and cared for,” he told authorities to ensure the provision of safe drinking water, hygienic eatables, mobile toilets, medical assistance, and proper resting places along the treacherous journey to the Amarnath cave shrine, situated at an altitude of 12,750 feet.
Union Home Secretary Mohan also assessed the condition of road works, snow removal, telecommunication connectivity, and electricity supply in Baltal, Ganderbal and Nunwan, Pahalgam base camps and along the way to the Amarnath cave shrine.
The authorities informed the Home Secretary that over 4 lakh yatris had already registered through online and offline channels.
RFID tracking of yatris, being done for the fourth time in a row, will enable monitoring of the movement of yatris and response on a timely basis in the event of any emergency.
Considering the route’s susceptibility to landslides, flash floods, and unreliable weather conditions, the Union Home Secretary ordered disaster response teams to be on round-the-clock standby.
Coordination with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) would be essential to issue timely warnings and evacuation if necessary.
The Home Secretary appreciated the initiatives of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), local administration, and security agencies in ensuring their best efforts towards making the Yatra safe and spiritually rewarding.
During the initial meeting regarding security review along the LoC, senior Police officers and officers of Army and paramilitary forces presented a detailed briefing on the deployment of security personnel, live surveillance through the use of drones, CCTV cameras, traffic control, and force coordination.
“Several layers of security are being placed along both Baltal and Pahalgam routes. Intelligence inputs are being watched very carefully and real-time coordination with intelligence agencies has been strengthened,” the top officers informed the meeting. “Ensuring the security of each yatri is our topmost concern. All security agencies are coordinating in proximity to place a strong, multi-layered security grid.”
The Army has increased its deployment along the yatra routes and in hinterland regions.
Counter-infiltration operations along the LoC are in full gear.
The highest operational preparedness is being maintained to ensure that the Amarnath Yatra takes place in a safe environment.
Senior Army and paramilitary brass including Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava, GOC of Srinagar-based 15 Corps, DG CRPF Gyanendra Pratap Singh, DG BSF Daljit Singh Chaudhary, and DG ITBP Rahul Rasgotra also attended the review meeting.
Senior officials of the civil administration briefed on civil arrangements like sanitation, medical relief, shelter, and transport for yatris.
They said that coordination between civil and security departments was being streamlined to prevent any logistical hassles.
Officials said that connectivity on the move had been improved in high-altitude areas, and satellite phones, wireless sets, and emergency response systems were being installed on the yatra routes.
Other prominent attendees were Director Intelligence Bureau (IB) Tapan Kumar Deka, DG NIA Sadanand Vasant Date, Special DG Coordination S J M Gillani, Divisional Commissioners, and IGPs of Kashmir and Jammu divisions.
