Jammu, July 04: Jammu and Kashmir will remain on high alert during the month-long Amarnath Yatra commencing on July 9 with security epecially beefed up along the rail and road routes taken by pilgrims and religious places to thwart any militant attack, police said today. A high alert will be maintained in the state to ensure smooth conduct of the pilgrimage which will culminate on August 12, the Inspector General of Police, Jammu, P L Gupta, said here. Security has been stepped up along the road and rail routes frequented by pilgrims from Punjab to travel to Jammu and to base camp at Nunwan in Pahalgam and authorities would issue security cards to sadhus who participate in the yatra so that subversive elements posing as sadhus could not join the pilgrims, Gupta said. In Jammu city, police and CRPF will be involved in unprecedented security arrangements at 26 lodging centres for the pilgrims and the many religious places, Gupta said, adding that security is also being beefed in and around MAM Stadium from where the pilgrims, escorted by the CRPF, would proceed to Banihal.
Asked as to how many yatris would be allowed to participate in the pilgrimage, Gupta said that the upper limit, including for sadhus, has been fixed at 1.15 lakh.
This limit has been kept as it will be difficult for the administration to cater to the pilgrims from pahalgam to cave shrine in view of the unpredictable weather, he said.
Gupta said a "operational control room" will be set up at MAM Stadium with reception centres at railway stations of Lakhanpur and Jammu, bus stand at Jammu and airport at Jammu to guide pilgrims to lodging centres. Bureau Report