Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 1: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today reviewed the security and other arrangements for the annual Amarnath Yatra ahead of its beginning tomorrow morning.
Soon after his arrival on a two-day visit, Singh chaired a high level meeting of security and civil administration at Raj Bhavan here. The meeting was attended by Governor N N Vohra, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) and Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh.
The others who attended the meeting included Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khanday, Director General of State Police K Rajendra Kumar, DG CRPF Prakash Mishra, DG BSF D K Pathak, GOC 15 Corps Lt Gen Subrata Saha and IG CID, A G Mir.
The main focus of the meeting was the security and other arrangements for the two month long yatra. The meeting briefed the Union Home Minister about the security arrangements made for the smooth conduct of annual Amarnath Yatra.
The Home Minister was also briefed about Army’s “Operation Shiva” that has been launched for the Yatra under which Army is providing the environmental security to secure all the approaches to yatra including both the Chandanwari and Baltal routes.
Singh was briefed about the aerial surveillance of the route to Amarnath cave shrine that is being done on daily basis for which Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are being used.
The Home Minister was told that the surveillance is being done to prevent any nefarious design of militants of disrupting the yatra. He was told that there is no input with the security agencies about yatra being targeted.
Singh was also briefed about the deployment of Police, Central Reserve Police and Border Security Forces for security of Yatra. He was told that entire security arrangements are already in place and necessary drills have already been conducted.
Home Minister was informed that SDRF and NDRF teams have been deployed at various places to tackle any eventuality during the yatra. He was also briefed about the Medical Assistance that is being provided to the yatris at various places.
Singh asked the officials to ensure that yatra remains peaceful and all facilities are provided to yatris.
The Home Minister is scheduled to pay obeisance at the holy cave tomorrow morning. Singh along with Vohra is likely to attend the ‘Pratham Puja’ at the cave, marking the commencement of the yatra.
The Union Home Minister was also briefed about the security situation along the LoC and in Kashmir valley. He was also briefed about the hoisting of ISIS flags in parts of Kashmir in recent weeks and security situation of Sopore where militants attacked telecoms and killed six persons last month.
Meanwhile, Governor N N Vohra tonight hosted dinner for the Union Home Minister, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his Cabinet Colleagues.
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