A day after a policeman was shot dead in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday directed security forces to remain highly vigilant and intensify intelligence-led anti-terror operations during a high-level security review meeting.
Senior officials from the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, civil administration, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), intelligence agencies, and the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board attended the meeting.
An official spokesman said the Lieutenant Governor also comprehensively reviewed logistics and safety arrangements for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra in light of the recent inclement weather and heavy rainfall across the region.
The Lieutenant Governor instructed all departments to maintain seamless coordination and ensure the safety, well-being and convenience of all pilgrims of Baba Barfani.
He directed a comprehensive department-wise review of all amenities, including rigorous audits of fire and emergency services, power grids, and water supply infrastructure.
More than 3,91,000 pilgrims have performed darshan at the holy cave in the first 20 days.
The Lieutenant Governor said the resumption of the Yatra is strictly contingent upon weather conditions.
In view of recent heavy rains, the Lieutenant Governor directed strengthening flood protection measures and immediate clearance of debris from all nallahs along the pilgrimage tracks.
He emphasized the need for continuous operational readiness, focusing on round-the-clock disaster response preparedness, ensuring clean tracks and well-maintained sanitation facilities and adequate reserves of rations, LPG, kerosene, and emergency medical supplies.
The Lieutenant Governor instructed officials to strictly prohibit unregistered service providers along the route and to enforce a mandatory 100 per cent prepaid service system.
He also instructed for the setting up of additional power DG sets, round-the-clock healthcare services, adequate availability of manpower, oxygen cylinders, and ambulances.
To ensure a swift response to potential incidents, the Lieutenant Governor instructed officials to maintain active traffic management, conduct regular vehicle inspections, ensure all equipment is functional, and issue timely weather alerts. He also directed that every tent must have a fire extinguisher and specialized wildlife units be stationed along the tracks.
Those present in the meeting included Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, GOC 15 Corps Lt Gen Balbir Singh, GOC 16 Corps Lt Gen P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary (Home) Chanderkar Bharti, Additional Director of the Intelligence Bureau Pankaj Thakur, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor and CEO of the Amarnathji Shrine Board Mandeep K. Bhandari, ADGP CID Nitish Kumar, along with divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, inspectors general of police and other senior security and civil administration officials.
The LG also commended the hard work and dedication of J&K Police, Indian Army, Civil Administration, Security Forces, Shrine Board, service providers, volunteers, stakeholders, and the citizens for making the holy Yatra of Shri Amarnathji safe and successful.
