The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) will take charge of the Amarnath cave shrine’s security. This change comes after the Union home ministry decided, during a review meeting on Tuesday, to make this change instead of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Jammu and Kashmir police suggested this decision. The annual Hindu pilgrimage begins on July 1 and lasts till August 31.
The CRPF will be deployed below the cave’s stairs, where ITBP will carry out the security arrangements. This decision was made due to several factors, including the effective work of ITBP jawans during the last year’s flash floods at the Amarnath shrine, where 16 pilgrims lost their lives.
The ITBP and Border Security Force (BSF) troops will handle six locations along the pilgrimage route that was previously under the CRPF’s responsibility. The CRPF will continue securing the route in the Kashmir valley, coordinating with other forces on the security front.
Intelligence agencies have warned that there is a high possibility of a terror attack in the Kashmir valley during the pilgrimage. During the meeting, the forces were instructed to place dog and bomb squads near the cave shrine and ensure better coordination.
Union home minister Amit Shah asked officials to make the necessary security arrangements throughout the route, ensuring smooth arrangements from the airport and railway station to the base camp. Shah also stressed the importance of ensuring proper stock of oxygen cylinders, their refilling, and additional doctor teams.
RFID cards will be issued to pilgrims allowing their real-time location to be traced. Pilgrims and animals will be insured for Rs. 5 lakh and Rs. 50,000, respectively. Necessary arrangements, such as adequate medical beds and ambulances, have been set up to handle any emergencies. Wi-Fi hotspots and proper lighting have also been installed along the route.
The pilgrims will have access to several facilities such as travel, stay, electricity, water, communication, and health. The HM gave instructions to ensure better communication on the route and deployment of machines to open the roads after any landslide.
This year’s Amarnath pilgrimage has received extensive measures to make it safe and comfortable for the pilgrims.
