Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir is ready to welcome the devotees of Shiva. So far, about 3 lakh pilgrims have done advance registration for the Amarnath Yatra starting from July 1.
Tomorrow the first batch of devotees will leave for the holy Amarnath cave from Bhagwati Nagar. The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board and the local administration informed that keeping in mind the facilities of the devotees, all kinds of preparations have been completed.
Apart from this, adequate security arrangements have been made. Along with infrastructure, other necessary facilities have been ensured from Lakhanpur, the gateway of Jammu and Kashmir, to Kashmir.
A record breaking number of pilgrims are expected to participate in the yatra this year. Last year, in the 44-day journey, about 20 days were affected by bad weather and the journey was greatly affected.
This time there has been an important change in the security system. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel, who are trained in mountain warfare, have been deployed in the cave temple instead of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
While the ITBP and the Border Security Force will guard about half a dozen camps, which were earlier guarded by the CRPF, the country’s primary internal security force.
CRPF will still be stationed directly below the steps of the cave temple. Sources had earlier told PTI that the new arrangement has been made keeping in mind the “emerging security threats and challenges” and as per the “requirements of the Jammu and Kashmir Police”.
According to an official, along with the CRPF, various other forces have also been given tasks. Because many companies of CRPF are also working for the law and order situation in Manipur and Panchayat elections in West Bengal.
