Governor NN Vohra, has asked the security agencies to keep strict vigil on security and safety of pilgrims of the holy Amarnath yatra that would begin on 28 June in the south Kashmir.

Vohra, who is also chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), chaired a high-level meeting at the Raj Bhavan in Srinagar on Wednesday to review important security-related issues in regard to the pilgrimage.

He ordered deployment of Mountain Rescue Teams, NDRF and SDRF on the two pilgrimage routes from Pahalgam and Baltal.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DGP, heads of State and Central Intelligence Agencies, GOC XV Corps, GOC Victor Force, senior officers of the Central Armed Police Forces, Inspector General of Police Kashmir; CEO and Additional CEO of the Shrine Board.

SP Pani, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, and Major General JP Mathew, GOC, Victor Force, made detailed presentations regarding the obtaining and emerging security environment in the state, keeping in view the envisaged objectives of forces inimical to the prevalence of peace.

Governor stressed the need for all concerned agencies to keep a close watch and maintain effective coordination to ensure the smooth conduct of the forthcoming Yatra.

The meeting held extensive discussions in regard to the issues relating to the obtaining security environment in the state; preparedness for meeting any unforeseen situation arising in the Yatra area; functioning of the Joint Control Rooms (JCRs) at every Yatra Camp; deployment of NDRF, SDRF and Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs) of the State Police along with Rescue Teams of various Security Forces at identified locations on both Yatra routes; deployment of well equipped Fire Fighting units at pre-determined points; installation of X-Ray Baggage Scanning Units at appropriate locations on both the Yatra routes; Access Control arrangements at the Neelgrath, Panjtarni and Pahalgam Helipads.

The meeting discussed the enforcement of an effective Access Control System at the Baltal and Nunwan Base Camps and at the Domel and Chandanawari Access Control Gates; effective traffic regulation from Lakhanpur Check Post onwards; ATC arrangements for the heli services from the Pahalgam and Neelgrath to Panjtarni; transit camp arrangements; installation of CCTVs at various camps.

Governor advised Chief Secretary to sensitise the Disaster Management agencies and ensure that all disaster management related arrangements for the Yatra are subsumed within the overall disaster management framework of the state.

The meeting was attended by BB Vyas, Chief Secretary; S Vaid, J&K DGP, Lt Gen AK Bhatt, GOC, Hqrs. 15 Corps; Maj. Gen JP Mathews, GOC, Hqrs, Victor Force; VSK Kaumudi, Additional Director General, CRPF, J&K Zone; Umang Narula, Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Executive Officer, SASB; RK Goyal, Principal Secretary, Home; Zulfiquar Hasan, IG, CRPF (Operations), Kashmir; AG Mir, Additional Director General of Police, CID, J&K; Muneer Ahmed Khan, ADGP, Security & Home Guards; Sonali Mishra, IG, BSF; SP Pani, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir; Ravi Deep Singh Sahi, IG, CRPF, Srinagar Sector; Group Capt S Roy Chowdhury, Air Force Station, Srinagar; and Bhupinder Kumar, Additional Chief Executive Officer, SASB.