Amit Shah Reviews J&K Security Ahead Of Amarnath Yatra, RFID To Be Given To Pilgrims

Last week, four pilgrims were killed and at least 20 others were injured when a bus caught fire near Katra in Jammu.

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday held a meeting to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The high-level meeting was attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla as well as heads of intelligence and security agencies. The meeting also took stock of the preparations for the Amarnath Yatra, which will start on June 30 after being postponed for two years due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Each pilgrim will be provided Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags so that their movement can be tracked and will be insured with Rs 5 lakh, said the Union Home Ministry.

The incidents in Kashmir in the last few days have forced the security forces to become even more aware of the safety of people ahead of the Amarnath Yatra. Even before the commencement of the yatra, additional security forces have been deployed in the entire area for the safety of the passengers. In view of the tight security arrangements during the journey, drones, and anti-drone technology will also be used. Apart from this, the entire area will be monitored through CCTV cameras.

Government employee Rahul Bhat was killed by terrorists inside his office in Budgam district on May 12. A day after the murder of Kashmiri Pandit Rahul, police constable Riyaz Ahmed Thokar was shot dead by terrorists at his residence in the Pulwama district. Last week, four pilgrims were killed and at least 20 others were injured when a bus caught fire near Katra in Jammu.

Instructions given by Home Minister in the meeting:-

- Air services in Srinagar should be increased according to the needs of the passengers.

- A 100-bed hospital should be built at an altitude of more than 6 thousand feet.

- A tent city should be arranged for the stay of the passengers on the way.

- Special arrangements should be made to deal with the disaster caused by landslides.

- Lighting should be arranged along the way of the journey.

The annual visit to the Amarnath temple located in the hill cave could not take place in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus. In 2019, just before the abrogation of Article 370, it was abbreviated. Around 3 lakh pilgrims are expected to participate in the yatra and the yatra may end on August 11.