Srinagar, Jun 03: Security has been tightened for the forthcoming yatra to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath where an estimated 1.5 lakh pilgrims are expected this year, in order to thwart a repeat of last year's shootout in which nine pilgrims were killed. Police sources said security all along the route to the cave shrine and around the base camps has been beefed up for the pilgrimage beginning on July 12.
Anantnag district authorities, who reviewed the arrangements for the yatra in a meeting chaired by district development commissioner Shailendra Kumar yesterday, decided to set up joint control rooms at various camp locations by police and civil administration to monitor the smooth conduct of the yatra. All basic amenities would be provided to the pilgrims at different locations enroute to Pahalgam, the base camp, and the cave shrine.
Medicare, power and drinking water facilities would be improved and better telecommunication system installed for the yatris. Kumar asked for involving NGOs in sanitation and cleanliness work during the pilgrimage at Pahalgam and other locations. He said a ban on use of polythene would strictly be enforced during the yatra period.
Besides the normal action plan, a contingency plan would also be formulated, he added.
Only pilgrims to the naturally-formed ice-lingam would be allowed to the cave shrine this year for pilgrimage. Mere tourists would be kept out, Kumar added. Bureau Report