The annual Amarnath Yatra was flagged off from both Baltal and Pahalgam routes in Jammu & Kashmir on Monday, 1 July.
Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh on Sunday, 30 June, took stock of security arrangements on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway for the Amarnath Yatra, a police spokesperson said.
The DGP also reviewed the arrangements made for smooth traffic management on the highway during the 46-day pilgrimage.
Singh inspected the security grid at different places, including Galandar, Barsoo Letpora, Awantipora Crossing, Walnut Factory and Shaitani Nallah, among others, he said.
At Shaitani Nallah, where the convoy is exchanged, the DGP was briefed about the preparedness and procedures adopted by the convoy commanders, the spokesperson said.
At Jawahar Tunnel, the DGP reviewed the traffic flow and at Anantnag, he took stock of decongestion and clearing of unattended and unauthorised vehicles from the roads, he said.
Singh also visited pilgrim camps at Walnut Factory, Mir Bazar and Pantha Chowk and took stock of security and facilities there.
He also interacted with pilgrims at these camps.
SSP Awantipora, SSP Anantnag and SSP Kulgam briefed the DGP about the security measures taken in their respective jurisdictions, the spokesperson said.
He said Singh told the officers to ensure efficient implementation of all measures in coordination with the security agencies.
The DGP also directed the officers to ask the deployed personnel to be alert at all times, he added.
Singh asked the officers to make sure that the cut-off timings are adhered to all along the highway and the standard operating procedures are strictly followed, the spokesperson said.
As part of the Amarnath Yatra, pilgrims visit the cave shrine of Lord Shiva in south Kashmir Himalayas. The pilgrimage will conclude on 15 August.
J&K Governor Lauds Local Muslims
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Sunday lauded the role of local Muslims in ensuring the smooth conduct of the Amarnath Yatra over the years and expressed hope that the pilgrimage will be successful this year too, according to PTI.
Malik said while the government looks after the security aspect of the annual pilgrimage, it is conducted with the support of the locals.
“The security for the yatra is our responsibility and we are taking care of it. But police or Army do not conduct the yatra. For many years, the Amarnath Yatra is being conducted by the people of Kashmir, especially our Muslim brothers. The yatra takes place with their support.”Satya Pal Malik, Governor, Jammu and Kashmir
"If all of us work together, it will be successful," he added.Asked whether the Centre's Kashmir policy will see a change with Amit Shah being appointed as the Union home minister, Malik said he had not seen anything of that sort yet.
"I am not seeing anything like that yet, but Amit Shah's leadership is a very successful leadership and whatever work he has undertaken, he has been successful in it," he said.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)