After successfully holding a G-20 working group meeting in Srinagar last month the Union Territory administration is now gearing up to welcome Amarnath pilgrims from July 1.
With security remaining a top priority, in the wake of targeted strikes on security convoys, and the members of the minority community in recent months, the multi-layered security grid has been entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring peaceful and incident free conduct of the yatra.
To assist the UT administration, the Union Home Ministry has already given its nod to rush additional central paramilitary forces for yatra duty.
According to official sources, around 60 companies are expected to arrive here in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) around June 20. These companies will be deployed along the entire yatra route beginning from the gateway of J&K at Lakhanpur to the base camps in Kashmir valley.
In addition teams of State Disaster Response Force, and NDRF components will be stationed along the yatra trek to take care of contingencies.
“Apart from routine deployment, sniper and sharp shooters will also be deployed at many locations while the Amarnath Yatra convoy will be escorted with security personnel laced with technical gadgets”,official sources said.
Meanwhile, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday conducted on-site inspection at Nunwan and Chandanwari Base Camps and reviewed ongoing works and logistics, lodging, health and other facilities that have been put in place for the comfort of pilgrims.
The 62-day-long Amarnath Yatra will commence from July 1 from the two traditional routes of Nunwan in Pahalgam and Baltal in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
Proper arrangements for regular ambulance, Heli-ambulance service and oxygen cylinders must be ensured, the Lt Governor told the officials.
The Lt Governor passed explicit directions for the Camp in-charge and concerned officials for operationalization of Sheshnag and Panjtarni camp by June 20.
In Jammu, Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar chaired a high level meeting with the ADGP Jammu range Mukesh Singh and deliberated upon security related matters and other necessary arrangements with the district commissioners and SSP’s of different district headquarters.