Governor Satya Pal Malik, Chairman, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, chaired a high level meeting at Raj Bhavan here today to review important security related matters with regard to the Shri Amarnathji Yatra which is scheduled to commence on 1st July 2019, from both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
The meeting was attended by the Advisor (K) to Governor, Chief Secretary,Director General of Police, GOC XV Corps, GOC Victor Force, CEO of ShrineBoard; Home Secretary; Heads of Central & State Intelligence Agencies; andsenior most officers of Central Armed Police Forces, J&K Police & AirForce.
Governor stressed the need for all concerned agencies to maintain a closewatch and effective coordination to ensure the smooth conduct of theforthcoming Yatra, said an official spokesman.
He said detailed presentations were made by the Security Agenciesregarding the obtaining and emerging security environment in the State, keepingin view the envisaged objectives of adversary external agencies.
The meeting held extensive discussions with regard to preparedness formeeting any unforeseen situation arising in the Yatra area; deployment of ROPfor safe movement of Yatris; Corridor security & Area domination especiallybeyond ROP hours; functioning of the Joint Control Rooms at every Yatra Camp; andlinking up Joint Control Rooms with the MET Department and the DistrictDisaster Management Units.
The meeting also discussed deployment of Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs) ofthe State Police along with Rescue Teams of various Security Forces atidentified locations on both the Yatra routes; deployment of well-equipped FireFighting teams at pre-determined points; installation of X-Ray Baggage Scanningunits at appropriate locations; Access Control Arrangements at Neelgrath,Panjtarni and Pahalgam helipads; Bar code enumeration points; telecommunicationfacilities along the Yatra routes etc.
The meeting discussed the enforcement of an effective Access ControlSystem at the Baltal and Nunwan Base Camps and at the Domel and ChandanwariAccess Control Gates; effective traffic regulation from Lakhanpur Check Postonwards through augmentation of the existing strength of Traffic Police; AirTraffic Control arrangements for the heli-services from the Pahalgam and Baltalto Panjtarni; transit camps arrangements; installation of CCTVs at variousCamps and at the Access Control Gates; etc.
Governor directed DGP and the Divisional Administration to ensure rapidand unhindered movement of validly registered Yatris right from the time theyenter into the State and travel to the Holy Cave, and to ensure against theirfacing any avoidable inconvenience, said the spokesman.
He emphasized that all agencies undertake a thorough review of allrequired arrangements for promptly dealing with any arising disaster situationand, for this purpose, evolve clear Standard Operating Procedures which wouldbe strictly followed by all the stakeholders, including the DistrictAdministration and Security Forces.
Governor also stressed that all security agencies should rectify thedeficiencies, if any, observed during previous Yatras and provide fool proofsecurity cover to yatris during their forward & return journey.
Governor directed Director General of Police; Divisional Commissioners ofJammu & 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 NagarJammu; Lakhanpur Checkpost; the On- spot Registration Counters at Jammu &Srinagar and at Base Camps of Baltal, Nunwan and Panjtarni through PublicAddress System by the Information Department of respective DistrictAdministration.