Tight security being implemented for safety of Amarnath yatra's pilgrims

For the security of pilgrims and success of the upcoming 60-day long Amarnath Yatra, the security agencies have chalked out a plan in a recent meeting with the Jammu and Kashmir governor, the police official said on Wednesday.

Governor NN Vohra on Monday had reviewed the plans for the yatra in a meeting that was attended by high profile officials like the Director General of Police SP Vaid and Chief Secretary BB Vyas.

The annual yatra to the Himalayan shrine in south Kashmir will commence on June 28 and is set to be 20 days longer this year.

"Security agencies have already started implementing the security plan chalked out at a recent meeting chaired by Governor NN Vohra for the success of the yatra. Security forces are working together to deal with and eliminate any threat posed to the pilgrimage," Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Province, S D Singh Jamwal, said.

Over one lakh pilgrims have already registered their names for the yatra at centres all across the country and pre-booking of helicopter tickets for the pilgrimage have started from April 27.

Efforts are being taken to make the yatra to the 3,880-metre high holy cave shrine of Amarnath peaceful and without any incidents, Jamwal said.

"The Amarnath yatra is a very big event, depicting our culture, history and brotherhood... Elaborate plans have been worked out to ensure a peaceful yatra and make it a best experience for pilgrims," the officer said.

Managed by Amarnathji Shrine Board, headed by the governor, the annual yatra is scheduled to begin from two routed from June 28.        

"Last year, not a single untoward incident was reported from the Jammu province during the yatra due to stringent security arrangements and we are sure that the pilgrimage will pass off peacefully this year with the cooperation of the people," Jamwal said.

A bus with pilgrim on board skidded off the track near Ramban along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, resulting in the deaths of 17 pilgrims.

"We are working round the clock. Elaborate arrangements with regard to security and traffic management on the highway will be in place. Our attempt is to ensure a peaceful yatra and we are confident that the it will be peacefully," he said.

Referring to the killing of four infiltrators in Sunderbani of Rajouri district in March, the IGP said the success was the result of the anti-infiltration security grid and the cooperation of the people.        

"The yatra is starting next month and it will be followed by Independence Day...We are keeping our focus on the calendar and working out our plan accordingly to thwart any attempt of sabotage,” he said.