Over 3500 pilgrims reach Yatri Niwas
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, June 27: Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the chairman of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) will flag off the first batch of pilgrims to Himalayan cave in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here at 4.30 am tomorrow under tight security measures.
Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp
The Lt Governor also visited the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas this evening where over 3500 pilgrims are camping to oversee the arrangements before the flagging off the first batch of pilgrims tomorrow. He was accompanied by senior Police and Civil officers including DGP, R R Swain, M.K Sinha, ADGP Headquarters, Anand Jain, ADGP Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Deputy Commissioner Jammu and other senior officials.
The Lt Governor also met and interacted with the pilgrims. Subsequently, he chaired a meeting with officials and reviewed the measures taken to facilitate the comfortable stay of the pilgrims. The LG was briefed on the extensive arrangements made for the smooth pilgrimage of the devotees.
Click here to watch video
He directed the stakeholder departments to deploy adequate man-power to cater to the heavy rush of the pilgrims.
He also interacted with the service providers and took appraisal of the facilities including logistics, lodging, food, health, transportation, RFID counters and other amenities.
Earlier, Sinha reviewed the preparations of Yatra at a high level meeting at Pahalgam today.
The meeting was attended by Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, CEO, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board; Vidhi Kumar Birdi, IGP Kashmir; Bhupinder Kumar, Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department; Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag and senior officers of SASB, security forces, civil and police administration.
The Lt Governor discussed the deployment of police and security personnel, doctors and nursing staff, duty officers, relief and rescue teams, and sanitation staff on the yatra routes.
He directed for deputing dedicated officers who will look-after the effective functioning of the facilities developed by their respective departments.
“Pilgrims are the brand ambassadors of Jammu Kashmir. Greater synergy between all stakeholder departments, police, security forces and service providers will ensure best arrangements for the hassle-free pilgrimage,” Sinha said.
The meeting was informed that substantial improvements have been made in terms of facilities for the safe and smooth pilgrimage.
The Lt Governor emphasised on providing smooth arrangements on the route of Yatra, adequate stock of oxygen cylinders and deployment of ambulances and helicopters for any medical emergency.
He also took appraisal of track, lodging, electricity, water, communication, health, fire and emergency services.
Later, the Lt Governor took stock of the facilities in place for the pilgrims at Nunwan base camp at Pahalgam.
There was heavy rush of yatris at the Yatri Niwas and as per officials, 3500 pilgrims drawn from different parts of country have reached there from early this morning to leave for Pratham darshan early tomorrow morning.
The authorities had made elaborate arrangements including that of security for the pilgrims. The Yatri Niwas is being manned by Jawans of CRPF, J&K Police and other security agencies. The pilgrims before their entry in the Yatri Niwas, are being frisked at the entry point. Besides, the Yatri Niwas the elaborate security arrangements have been made at Sarswati Dham, Vaishnavi Dham and other places where Yatris are being lodged in the city to avert any untoward incident in view of recent terror attacks in various parts of Jammu region.
Three-tier security arrangements have been made right from Lakhanpur to holy cave by the Government for the safety of the pilgrims, said Director General Police (DGP), R R Swain. He said administration is fully geared up and every step has been taken to ensure the fool proof security of pilgrims on both the tracks to holy cave and on National Highway right from Lakhanpur to Pahalgam in Anantang district and Baltal in Ganderbal district.
The DGP said besides the three tier security the high-tech CCTVs have been installed and drones have been put in service for round the clock surveillance. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Mountaineering Rescue teams have been deployed for safety of pilgrims and service providers in case of any exigency.
Meanwhile, a senior officer said unprecedented security measures, including electronic surveillance along the entire yatra route and access control arrangements, have been made for the yatra.
He said the security measures have been beefed up for this year’s Amarnath yatra given the recent terror attacks in the Jammu region, including the one where a bus was carrying pilgrims to Shiv Khori Shrine was targeted.
“We are not taking any chances as terrorists have shown their desperation in recent times to stay in the limelight by targetting innocent pilgrims,” the officer said.
Thousands of security personnel from the police, CRPF, ITBP and other para-military forces have been deployed to ensure foolproof security for the annual pilgrimage.
Besides adequate deployment of security forces at the Yatra Camps, the authorities have decided to carry out aerial surveillance of the Yatra area and deploy spotters to keep a vigil on unwanted activities and suspicious elements.
As part of the security measures, the National Highway from Qazigund to Pahalgam and Baltal base camps have been brought under CCTV surveillance, the officials said.
“Movement of all yatra-related vehicles will be monitored round the clock,” they added. Kashmir Zone Police chief VK Birdi took stock of the security measures and directed officials to ensure stern security coverage and prompt response to any potential threats.
The traffic authorities have issued an advisory for Amarnath yatra.
The administration has decided to impose certain restrictions on traffic plying on different routes. These restrictions will be in force between 28/06/2024 and 19/08/2024,” an official spokesman said.
He said the Traffic Department, will issue special traffic advisories daily.
“People, including tourists and yatris, are requested to strictly abide by the instructions to avoid unnecessary inconvenience and plan their journey accordingly,” the spokesman said.
As the Yatra will be flagged off tomorrow morning and first darshan will be held on June 29 at holy cave thousands of enthusiastic pilgrims have started reaching here since yesterday. There is heavy rush at Saraswati Dham, Vaishnavi Dham and other lodges near Railway Station and pilgrims including men and women are seen in long queues to get their token and registration slips.
The pilgrims are also in high spirits chanting “Bum -Bum Bhole and Har -Har Mahadev”. Undeterred by militants’ threat the pilgrims said the Lord Shiva is their savior and they don’t feel any threat when he is there to protect them.
Some pilgrims who have come for darshan said that they have been performing pilgrimage for last many years continuously except during the COVID period. One pilgrim Rishikesh Chowdhary from Jharkhand said it is his ninth pilgrimage to holy cave and he will continue to come in future also.
Reshma, a pilgrim from Jhansi said that she does not feel any threat. The first time pilgrim to holy cave, she said, the arrangements are very good and she hoped that she and her colleagues will not face any problem up to holy cave. She said “I appeal people to come for darshan of Bhole Baba in large numbers”.
To review the arrangements, Director General of Police, R.R.Swain today visited the base camps for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra at Baltal in Kashmir. He also visited Chanderkot in Ramban to assess the preparations and arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. The DGP received detailed briefings from officers and in-charges at these locations, which were focused on various aspects related to the security of the holy pilgrimage.
ADGP Security, J&K M.K. Sinha and ADGP L&O J&K Vijay Kumar accompanied the DGP during the visit to these locations.
The DGP inspected and thoroughly reviewed the security arrangements currently in place, including parking facilities, access control points, and overall camp security management. Special emphasis was given by the DGP J&K on the coordination and synchronization of efforts between all the agencies, as well as ensuring seamless communication with local authorities and community members.
He directed the officers to strictly adhere to the devised plans and maintain a high vigil throughout the pilgrimage .
The officers emphasized on the critical role of technology in ensuring the safety and security of pilgrims. The use of modern tools and equipments to monitor the security apparatus and to regulate the pilgrim movement was also discussed.
Emphasis was laid given on the importance of following the cut off timings at different locations, remaining vigilant, adhering to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and conducting regular training and drills, especially to prepare for any unforeseen contingencies that may arise during the pilgrimage.
It was also impressed that the efforts to strengthen intelligence collection and analysis capabilities will also play a crucial role in minimizing security risks and ensuring the smooth and safe conduct of the holy pilgrimage. The officers emphasized the importance of strengthening intelligence capabilities by adopting a combination of technical intelligence and human intelligence methods, particularly in light of the current heightened threat perception.
The officers decided to reinforce camp security, with specific emphasis on larger Langar sites to provide an enhanced sense of safety and security for all pilgrims. At Baltal, DIG CKR Rajiv Om Prakash Pandey, SSP Ganderbal and Yatra Officers briefed the DGP regarding the security measures taken and in place.
At Chanderkot, besides the visiting offices, GOC Delta Force Major General Upkar Chander, ADGP Jammu, Anand Jain, Sector Commander Joe Sabby, DIG DKR, Shridhar Patil, DC Ramban Baseer-ul-Haq, SSP Ramban, SSP Traffic Rural, Jammu, SSP Ramban, SSP Doda, SSP National Highway attended the meeting.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
