- High-end CCTV cameras have been installed along the NH to monitor both pilgrimage and regular vehicular traffic
- The traffic department has installed 10 360° CCTV cameras from Udhampur to Banihal in Ramban district
- The police department has placed 60 cameras along the highway to monitor vehicular movement and identify suspicious individuals
- These cameras are positioned at Jakhani area of Udhampur, Dalwas, Khoni Nallah, Mehar, Battery Cheshma, Nachlana, Banihal Chowk, Tunnel-5, Shaligadi and Cutpoint
- Security forces have carried out search and sanitisation operations to ensure a safe commencement of the annual yatra
- Lodgment and registration centres in Jammu are also under strict security
- Police have secured the highway through which the yatra will pass every day
- QRTs have been activated, high-rise buildings dominated, and the security machinery is in law and order mode
A three-tier security system has been put in place in and around for the Amarnath base camp in Jammu under the charge of J&K Police’s security wing. Forces have carried out search and sanitisation operations to ensure a safe commencement of the annual yatra from June 28 in Jammu.
The 52-day pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath, located at a height of 3,880 metres, will commence from the twin tracks — the traditional 48-kilometre Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the 14-kilometre shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal — on June 29.
“Adequate security arrangements have been made for the yatra. Three-tier security measures have been put in place for the base camp in the Bhagwati Nagar area in Jammu,” Jammu Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Vinod Kumar said.
The SSP said that lodgment and registration centres in Jammu City are also under strict security. “Security arrangements and area dominations have been enforced on the highway, and all points from borders have been plugged,” the office said.
“Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) have been activated, high-rise buildings dominated, and the security machinery is in law and order mode. All measures are in place for an incident-free yatra,” he said.
Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu serves as the primary base camp for pilgrims nationwide before they proceed to the cave shrine of Amarnath in the Himalayas of south Kashmir.
As part of the security measures, the security wing has assumed control of the area and barred public access. “Body scanners and CCTV cameras, including large 360-degree cameras, have been installed to monitor the camp and its surroundings round-the-clock,” officials said. Several companies of the paramilitary are being deployed for security, they said.
Meanwhile, The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has deployed a Road Opening Party (ROP) and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) for patrolling on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44). The CRPF is responsible for manning the vital highway that will be used by Amarnath pilgrims from June 29.
A robust security plan has been implemented to safeguard the pilgrims traveling on the highway. The crucial route witnesses a huge influx of devotees throughout the Yatra period and the CRPF is leaving no stone unturned to ensure their safety. CRPF men have been deployed on regular intervals along the highway to keep a close watch, especially in the areas close to the forests.
Udhampur DC Saloni Rai also discussed the preparedness for the Yatra with senior officials of the security agencies. Additional deployments of various security forces, including the police, have been made at several places on the route to Amarnath Yatra, which passes through Udhampur. A total of 26 lodging centres have been established with proper security and sanitation arrangements in the district. Arrangements have been made for the accommodation of at least 6,000 people in these centres, in case the Yatra is interrupted due to landslides or road closures in Ramban and other places. Each centre has been assigned a nodal officer and all necessary arrangements have been made for the comfort of pilgrims.
Meanwhile, the Traffic Department also installed high-definition CCTV cameras along the Jammu-Srinagar NH to make the Yatra secure. The police have installed at least 70 cameras from Udhampur to Ramban along the route. These cameras have been installed at Jakhani area of Udhampur, Dalwas, Khoni Nallah, Mehar, Battery Cheshma, Nachlana, Banihal Chowk, Tunnel-5, Shaligadi and Cutpoint.
A control room has been established in Ramban to oversee traffic movement around the clock. Security forces are also sanitising the NH on a regular basis to detect any IEDs or other explosives.
