As the annual AmarnathYatra is all set to commence from July 1 from twin routes of Chandanwari in Pahalgam and Baltal in Ganderbal, the security officials Monday said the 300 additional companies of forces that were brought in for smooth conduct of polls have been retained to facilitate the pilgrimage.
Top security officials said that foolproof securityarrangements would be in place for the Yatra. “The decision to retain theadditional forces that were deployed for poll duties was taken to save time,cut travel expenses and to do away with the risk of getting attacked during transit,”they said.
“Yes, all the 300 additional companies that were deployedacross Kashmir for the smooth LokSabha elections have been retained and will bedeployed for smooth conduct of Amarnath pilgrimage. They have been providedwith the safe accommodation,” Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) spokesman,Sanjay Sharma told Greater Kashmir.
On the State’s request, Ministry of Home Affairs hadapproved deployment of 300 additional companies for the smooth conduct ofseven-phase LS polls.
A top police officer said the process of installing closecircuit television sets (CCTVs) en route the cave shrine and also at various”vulnerable” points has already begun. “All the CCTVs will be connected totheir respective control rooms and a complete vigil will be maintained on themovement of Yatris and also on the suspects,” the officer said.
He said Governor S P Malik recently chaired a meeting toreview the Amarnath pilgrimage security plan and the security grid in its powerpoint presentation explained all the preparations made by them to ensure smoothYatra.
A CRPF official said this time around the primary focus willbe on the road opening parties (ROPs) to ensure smooth flow of vehiclesferrying Yatris. “There will also be cut-off timing for the Yatra vehicles forcrossing various crucial entry and exit points. No vehicle
will be allowed to proceed without getting securityclearance,” he said.
A source said the will remain on standby mode to meet anyexigency like “militant strike to disrupt the Yatra” or any other attempt toderail the pilgrimage.
Police and the CRPF are primary agencies responsible thesmooth conduct of the pilgrimage,” the source said.
“A complete coordination and synergy will be maintained toensure incident free Yatra.”