670 Paramilitary Companies Being Deployed Across J&K for Smooth Conduct of Pilgrimage
Jammu, June 8 :
The high-level review meeting on arrangements for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, scheduled to be chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on June 8, has been postponed and will now be held on June 12 in New Delhi due to the Minister’s prior engagements.
Official sources said senior Jammu and Kashmir officials have been informed about the revised schedule. The meeting will comprehensively assess preparations for the annual pilgrimage, including security measures, healthcare services, sanitation, accommodation, transportation, and other facilities for pilgrims.
The review meeting is expected to be attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, Home Secretary Chandraker Bharti, Intelligence Chief Nitish Kumar and other senior officers from Jammu and Kashmir. Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, senior Ministry of Home Affairs officials, chiefs of central armed police forces, intelligence agencies and Army officers are also expected to participate.
Sources said the government is anticipating a significant turnout of pilgrims this year in view of the surge in tourist arrivals to Jammu and Kashmir and the enthusiastic response to Yatra registrations.
The 57-day annual pilgrimage is scheduled to commence on July 3 and conclude on August 28, coinciding with the auspicious occasions of Sharavan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
Meanwhile, deployment of central security forces for the pilgrimage has already begun across both Jammu and Kashmir divisions. The Union Home Ministry has sanctioned 670 paramilitary companies for Yatra security duties.
In the Jammu region, security deployment will extend from Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir, covering key installations and transit points including national highways, railway stations, airports, bus terminals and Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas. Security personnel, alongside local police, will ensure safe movement of pilgrim convoys and protection of accommodation centres.
In Kashmir, elaborate security arrangements are being put in place at the Baltal and Nunwan base camps, along both traditional Yatra routes and at the holy cave shrine. Additional measures are also being taken at locations designated for pilgrims’ stay and movement.
Officials said all security and logistical arrangements will be fully operational at least a week before the commencement of the pilgrimage.
Sources added that overall security across Jammu and Kashmir is being further strengthened ahead of the Yatra to eliminate any potential threats and ensure a peaceful pilgrimage.
During the June 12 review meeting, Amit Shah is expected to assess the preparedness of security and civil departments and evaluate measures aimed at ensuring the safe, smooth and successful conduct of the annual pilgrimage. Discussions are likely to focus on security deployment, counter-terror operations, protection of pilgrim convoys, emergency response systems, healthcare facilities, communication networks, intelligence coordination, surveillance mechanisms and contingency planning for any unforeseen challenges. (KNC)