Even as the entire State Government machinery is gearing up for the annual Amarnath pilgrimage beginning July 2 the threat is looming large on the pilgrims from across the border with Pakistan.
To ensure safety of each and every pilgrim arriving here to perform darshan inside the holy cave of Amarnath shrine, located at a height of over 13,000 feet in South Kashmir district of Anantnag, the State Government would soon be starting deployment of paramilitary forces along the route from lakhanpur, the gateway of Jammu & Kashmir to the cave shrine including base camps in Jammu and along the two routes of Pahalgam and Baltal.
Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, realising the importance of smooth conduct of the yatra came down to Jammu to attend high level review meeting with senior officials of the State Government on saturday. In addition DGP K Rajendra also held a separate meeting with the senior police officers of Jammu province and took stock of the law and order situation and yatra arrangements.
After attending the comprehensive briefing Nirmal Singh told reporters in Jammu, “Pakistan, anti-national elements and terrorists would not like this (Amarnath) yatra to go on smoothly. They will definitely try to create disturbances but we are prepared and have taken all the aspects into consideration. The Army and other security agencies have been put on high alert”.
Singh also took stock of the law and order situation in Jammu in the wake of two back to back attacks on religious places where idols were vandalised to incite violence in the run up to the yatra season.
Commenting on the incidents Singh said the elements behind the desecration of two temples in Jammu city may try to vitiate the atmosphere and cautioned people to remain vigilant as “such incidents could happen in future as well.”
“As the yatra is going to begin and tourist season is on, such elements are trying to vitiate the atmosphere,” Singh said.He said the Government will not allow anybody to communalise the situation to disturb peace in the State.
Sharing his view point on the progress of investigations in the case, Prof Singh said “Various agencies are investigating the matter and the Government was monitoring the situation closely,” he said.Asked whether the incidents could have been sponsored from across the border, he said such a thing cannot be ruled out.”Pakistan, ISI or the people who are working here on their behest may try to fuel communalism in Jammu province as the region comparatively remained peaceful in all these years. However, till now we have not found any such lead. The police is working on it,” he said.