Abid Bashir
New Delhi, Jun 9: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Friday chaired a high level meeting in New Delhi to review the security and other arrangements for the upcoming annual Amarnath Yatra commencing from July 1.
Reliable sources said that the meeting was attended by J&K LG Manoj Sinha besides a galaxy of officers from the UT administration. All the concerned MHA officials were also present on the occasion.
The Home Minister, as per sources, stressed on ensuring strict adherence to RFID chip, three-tier security cover and the quick response by the security agencies in case of any natural calamity. Last year, 16 pilgrims died in cloudburst incident at the cave shrine of Amarnath. “Today’s meeting at New Delhi laid special focus on quick response teams to meet any eventuality. Union Home Minister stressed that evacuation process shouldn’t take much time in case of any natural calamity,” sources said, adding that the QRTs of CRPF, BSF, Police and SDRF will remains stationed en-route cave shrine specifically for meeting any eventuality in case of natural calamity.
The J&K LG ensured that the security grid was active and ready to deal with any situation. In the meeting, Union Home Minister sought feedback from the LG Sinha as to whether there was any threat to security of the Yatra and counter-strategy in place. “The Home Minister after getting the feedback on security arrangements expressed gratitude to the LG administration and directed that a close synergy should be maintained by the security grid to ensure smooth pilgrimage,” sources privy to the meeting said.
The Home Minister was also told that this time also like previous year, no Yatra-bound vehicle will be allowed to proceed from various selected points after cut-off timing set by the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).
Besides LG Sinha, Union Home Secretary, Director, Intelligence Bureau, Director General of Border Security Force and Central Reserve Police Force, Director General of Border Roads Organisation, Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, other senior officials of Army, Central Government and Jammu and Kashmir administration attending the meeting.
Shah also stressed that instructions to make proper arrangements for all necessary facilities for Amarnath Yatris, including travel, stay, electricity, water, communication and health.
Shah was told that each pilgrim will have Rs. 5 lakh insurance cover and at various places free Wi-Fi spots have been set up. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister also stated that if there was a need for additional troop deployment for the smooth conduct of Yatra, MHA will keep the additional forces at the J&K administration’s disposal. However, sources said that additional forces may arrive in Kashmir in the coming days for Yatra deployment.
