‘Shri Amarnath yatra to get full security’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 2: Director General of Police Dilbag Singh today said all necessary security arrangements will be put in place for the successful conduct of the pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Shri Amarnath, scheduled to begin on June 30.
On the sidelines of a function in Udhampur district, the DGP also told reporters that absconding former Minister Jatinder Singh alias ‘Babu Singh’, wanted in connection with the recent seizure of Hawala money that was meant for subversive activities, will be traced soon and questioned.
The police chief said a tight vigil is being maintained on social media which is being misused by Pakistan and its stooges to keep terror eco-system alive in the Union Territory.
“We have got rid of COVID-19 to a large extent and are expecting a good turnout of enthusiastic devotees (at Amarnath Ji shrine) this year. The capacity of lodgement camps for the devotees has increased accordingly and all necessary security arrangements will be made (for the smooth and successful yatra),” Singh said.
The pilgrimage to the Himalayan shrine of Shri Amarnath, located at a height of 3,880 metres in south Kashmir, will start on June 30 after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 43-day pilgrimage will end on August 11.
On the recent seizure of Rs 6.90-lakh hawala money in Jammu and alleged involvement of former Minister Babu Singh, the DGP said the politician is absconding and he will be traced soon.
“After his questioning, a complete picture will emerge in the case which is linked to Pakistan and separatism,” he said, adding some people have already been arrested and the money trail clearly indicated that the fund was meant for subversive and anti-national activities.
In response to another question on the misuse of social media, the DGP said Pakistan, its agencies and their stooges in J&K are using it to keep terror eco-system alive in the Union Territory.
“We are keeping a 24×7 watch and if anything adverse is coming to our notice, strict action is being taken in accordance with the law,” he said, adding action has been taken against those who clandestinely promote terrorism and narrative of separatism and “strict action against them will continue in future as well.”
Meanwhile, as many as 626 BSF recruits took oath to serve the nation at an attestation-cum-passing out parade at the Subsidiary Training Centre (STC) in Udhampur district today.
This is BSF’s second passing out parade at the STC here within a fortnight. On March 20, 636 candidates passed out of the centre and the parade was presided over by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Dilbag Singh congratulated the recruits on completion of their two-year-long training.
He said he was proud to start his career with the BSF, considered as the country’s first line of defence, some 34 years ago when he was posted in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
“That was a very difficult period (1990s) as Kupwara became the gate of militancy with large groups of terrorists going across the border (into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) and returned after training.
“We suddenly found ourselves in a situation, for which in my opinion, we were not ready,” Singh said.
However, the police chief said it was the sacrifice, dedication and devotion of the BSF officers and personnel in the late 1980s and early 1990s due to which there was a “remarkable improvement” in the overall security situation in the erstwhile State.
He hailed the BSF for securing the borders, and fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgents in North East and Maoists in Central India.
“Today is a golden moment in your lives and the training you received will help you overcome any challenge,” he said.
The DGP also lauded the role of officers and training staff of the STC in shaping the future of the recruits.
“The basic training is the bedrock of your career. You should always be ready to learn new things with an open mind,” he said, asking them to respect the human rights of the people as taught in the training programme.
While the DGP acknowledged that there will be differences in the training atmosphere and the challenges they face during the service, he said quality training will never let them down
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