Terrorists, those aiding them should be neutralised: LG

LG Manoj Sinha performing 'Pratham Puja' at Shri Amarnath Ji cave shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas on Saturday, via video conferencing.
LG Manoj Sinha performing 'Pratham Puja' at Shri Amarnath Ji cave shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas on Saturday, via video conferencing.

LG reviews security with DCs, SSPs of Jammu division

*Sinha performs ‘Pratham Puja’ of Shri Amarnath Yatra

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 22: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today chaired a high-level security and district development review meeting in Jammu with the DCs and SSPs of 10 districts of the division and senior officials of civil and police administration.

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Earlier, Sinha performed ‘Pratham Puja’ of the yatra which will start on June 29.
The meeting was attended by Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; RR Swain, DGP; Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary Home Department; Vijay Kumar, ADGP Law & Order; Nitish Kumar, ADGP CID; Anand Jain, ADGP Jammu; Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, DIGs, Deputy Commissioners, SSPs and other senior officials.

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The Lt Governor reviewed the overall security scenario in the region. He called for close synergy between the security forces, civil and police administration to dismantle the entire terror ecosystem. He said the terrorists and those aiding and abetting them should be neutralised on priority.
Sinha took stock of the development projects and the progress achieved on saturation of social welfare and other Government schemes.
The DCs briefed the LG on the implementation of Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), development of Industrial Estates and extension of public services.
The meeting also discussed the preparations ahead of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra and important matters related to yatra security; traffic management; essential facilities for yatris on the route; lodging, upgradation of roads; distribution of RFID Cards etc.
The Lt Governor also sought the action taken report on the measures taken by the districts and Police administration to control the increasing incidents of accidents, illegal mining activities, and the steps taken to curb the drug menace.
He highlighted the growing concern of the people over road safety and road accidents in hilly districts of Jammu division resulting in severe injuries and fatalities.
To address this issue, the Lt Governor instructed DCs and SSPs to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards traffic rule violators and strict monitoring and penalization. He said unfit vehicles flouting rules should be immediately identified and impounded.
Earlier, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha today said the Administration and the security forces have made special arrangements for the successful conduct of Amarnath Yatra and this year the pilgrimage will be smoother than previous years.
Sinha performed the ‘Pratham Puja’ of the Yatra, to mark the ceremonial commencement of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. The Yatra begins on June 29.
Speaking to a select group of reporters at Raj Bhawan here, the LG said: “Today, Pratham Puja of Baba Amarnath has concluded and the annual pilgrimage will start on June 29. This year, the administration and the security forces have made special arrangements for the smooth conduct of pilgrimage. A multi-layer security grid is in place for the peaceful Yatra.”
“We have brought in a qualitative improvement in the overall Yatra experience for devotees, and there has been significant enhancement in essential facilities, infrastructure, and security. This year Yatra will start on June 29th,”” he added.
He said officials of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and concerned departments are committed to providing better facilities and services for pilgrims.
He said that the road stretch leading to the cave shrine has been upgraded by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to ensure hassle free movement of pilgrims.
“We are taking every possible measure to ensure the yatra is smooth, safe, and hassle-free,” the LG said.
Sinha urged citizens to come together to welcome the pilgrims.
“It has been ancient tradition of J&K that people from all communities participate in this yatra, irrespective of their religion. I urge all enlightened citizens to come together to welcome and serve the pilgrims coming from different parts of the country and abroad,” he said.
This year, the annual Shri Amarnathji Yatra will start from 29th June, simultaneously from both the routes – the Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district.
Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board; senior officials of SASB, Army and Lt Governor’s Secretariat also attended the Pratham Puja.
Meanwhile, in connection with Pratham Puja, Hawan and other religious rituals were performed at holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji by Additional CEO, SASB, Rahul Singh and a team of Baba Amarnath & Buda Amarnath Yatri Niyas (BABAYS) today.
The representatives of BABAYS who took part in Pratham Puja at holy cave included Bajrang Bagra, national secretary general, Vishawa Hindu Parishad, (VHP), Abhishek Gupta, Prant Mantri VHP, Sudershan Khajuria, general secretary Niyas and senior office bearers including Anoop Mittal and Deepak Sharma.
Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar, member SASB, Shyambir Singh, D.C Ganderbal, Sandeep Gupta, SSP Ganderbal and R K Bhat GM SASB were also present at holy cave to perform the religious rituals.
It may be recalled that BABAYS which was managing the annual yatra to holy cave prior to formation of SASB has been performing Pratham Puja for over last two decades at holy cave on the occasion of Jesht Purnima every year. However after the formation of Shrine Board by Government the Pratham Puja is performed jointly by SASB led by Lt Governor as Chairman and representatives of BABAYS.