Srinagar, June 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Monday that adequate preparations have been made for this year’s Amarnath Yatra, and that over 30 CCTV cameras and drones will be deployed to monitor the pilgrimage along the twin routes.
According to a senior police officer, adequate security arrangements are in place along the entire route during the 62-day long Amarnath Yatra this year. The Yatra would begin on July 1 and end on August 31.
“Our top priority is to ensure a peaceful pilgrimage, and we will make no concessions on that.” Over 30 CCTV cameras and 11 drones will be used to monitor the Amarnath Nath vehicles, and there will be 24-hour security on designated routes,” he said.
A police officer also admitted that CCTV and drones were used on a trial basis in 2022. It will also help to streamline the Amarnath Yatra arrangements this year, he said.
“From Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas to the Cave, all major locations are monitored by CCTV cameras.” “We make certain that everything is recorded,” an official said, adding that two control rooms have been set up to monitor the footage from these high-end cameras.
“Six body scanners will be set up near Amarnath Cave.” If approved, we may get more scanners to help with the process,” he said.
The top official said IEDs will be a challenge, but Jammu and Kashmir police will ensure physical presence and patrolling during the yatra’s night hours.
“All routes will be sanitised before the start of Yatra each day, and security arrangements will not be compromised,” he said.
He stated that yatra routes will be patrolled around the clock by forces personnel during the day and by 360-degree camera-equipped Mobile Bunker Vehicles (MBVs) at night.
“No pilgrim vehicle will be allowed to mingle with civilian vehicles. There will be proper timing for pilgrim vehicles on all routes,” he said.
The top official said security forces are committed to facilitate the pilgrims and all security measures will be taken for a smooth pilgrimage in Kashmir.
Regarding NH44 deployment, the official said it is an endeavor to make the National Highway-44 totally secure for which a lot of SOPs have been put in place.
“We try to implement the SOPs in an error free manner. It is under 24/7 surveillance especially during the convoy movement through CCTV’s,” he said.
Last week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the preparations for the Amarnath Yatra at a high-level meeting in the national capital, directing to ensure adequate security arrangements to make a comfortable yatra for the yatris.
This year all the yatris would be given RFID cards so that their real-time location could be traced. The insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh for each Amarnath yatri and Rs 50,000 for each animal will be ensured.
Apart from this, arrangements for tent city, Wi-Fi hotspots, and proper lighting will be made on the travel route.
Besides that online live darshan of Baba Barfani, live telecast of morning and evening aarti in the Amarnath cave shrine and religious and cultural programmes will be organised at the base camp.
