Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 2: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today directed all security agencies involved in security of annual 48-days long Shri Amarnath ji pilgrimage, which began this morning from base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam, to hold regular security reviews, share inputs between them and keep on upgrading preparedness to ensure fool-proof security for the yatris.
Rajnath, on second day of his visit to Kashmir, this morning visited holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath ji, located at a height of 12,457 feet from sea level, and called upon all security agencies to leave no stone unturned to make the annual pilgrimage of Lord Shiva “completely safe and secure”.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, Joint Secretary MHA (Kashmir Affairs) Gyanesh Kumar and Director General of Police (DGP) K Rajendra Kumar apart from some other top officers of the MHA and JKP accompanied Rajnath Singh during his visit to Shri Amarnath ji cave shrine.
The Union Home Minister paid obeisance to holy Ice Lingam of Lord Shiva inside the cave shrine.
Sources told the Excelsior that the Union Home Ministry on the return of Rajnath Singh, the Union Home Secretary and other top officials of the MHA to New Delhi, have submitted a detailed report on Jammu and Kashmir situation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
They were reported to have described the situation in Jammu and Kashmir as “well under control” despite some incidents of attacks on para-military and police personnel and infiltration from the Line of Control (LoC).
According to sources, Rajnath Singh called upon top officials of the MHA, J&K Police and other para-military heads to ensure “total security” for the pilgrims at the cave shrine, tracks from Baltal and Pahalgam and National Highways.
Admitting that security on the National Highways of Jammu-Pathankot and Jammu-Srinagar has been upgraded on the directions of the Union Home Minister, sources said Rajnath was satisfied with arrangements made for the pilgrims at the cave shrine, tracks, base camps and other places.
“On his instructions, more para-military forces have been deployed on the National Highways,” they said.
Sources said the Union Home Minister has also deputed medical teams from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi at the holy cave shrine as a part of upgraded health facilities for Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims, some of whom face problems at the cave due to shortage of oxygen.
Rajnath Singh and Nirmal Singh inter-acted with security personnel and civil officers deployed at the holy cave shrine and inquired from them the arrangements made for the Amarnath ji pilgrims.
He was reported to have asked Jammu and Kashmir officials and heads of para-military forces to keep the Home Ministry informed about situation in Jammu and Kashmir especially the Amarnath ji pilgrims.
Sources said the MHA officials would stay in touch with J&K top brass on security arrangements for the pilgrims. The Amarnath yatra will conclude on August 18 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
On his return from Amarnath Ji yatra, the Union Home Minister also paid obeisance at Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar during holy month of Ramzan and prayed for peace, harmony and prosperity of the country.
Later, Singh returned to New Delhi from Srinagar. Top MHA officials also left for New Delhi in the afternoon.
It may be mentioned here that Rajnath Singh had last evening held high level review of security arrangements in Jammu and Kashmir with senior officers of MHA, Army, para-military forces, JKP, civil administration and Intelligence agencies among others. The security review came in the wake of reports about increase in infiltration and militant attacks on para-military forces and police including attack on CRPF convoy at Pampore on June 25 in which eight CRPF personnel were killed and 20 others were injured.
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