‘Follow SOPs strictly, senior officers to supervise arrangements’
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, June 26: Union Home Minister Amit Shah today directed the security forces top brass to strictly implement the Standard Operating Procedures for the Holy Amarnath yatra and warned them against laxity
Addressing media this evening after a review meeting chaired by Shah, Special Secretary Internal Security A P Maheshwari said the Home Minister directed that there should be no complacency on part of security forces or duty staff at any point of time during whole yatra period.
He said that Governor Satya Pal Malik, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba along with heads of Central Armed Police Forces and Central agencies, Army Commander Northern Command Lt Gen Ranbir Singh and senior officials from Army attended the security review meeting for yatra.
Maheshwari said that Home Minister directed that senior officers should supervise Yatra arrangements. “There should be no laxity. Strict enforcement of the SOPs should be ensured. Senior officers should personally supervise the arrangements,” he said
“He (Shah) directed all security agencies to be fully alert and take all preventive steps to ensure violence free yatra,” the officer said.
He said Shah asked the security forces to ensure optimum use of latest technologies and gadgets not only for the security of the Yatra but also to facilitate the movement of the devotees and the tourists. “He specifically drew attention of the security forces towards anti-sabotage as well as anti-subversion drills and the access control procedures,” Maheshwari said.
“Shah said after the cut-off timings barricades should be erected at suitable locations and no differentiation should be made between yatris and tourists. Barricades be used at all lateral entry points during convoy movement. All lateral points should be manned 24×7,” he added.
“Besides attending to medical emergency, preparedness must also be ensured to deal with any type of calamity or contingency”, said Maheshwari, adding specialized units and trained personnel should be in place with due focus on the prescribed drills for the purpose.
He said that Home Minister laid emphasis on the essential facilities for those deputed on the arrangements of the yatra. “Shah underscored the need for all the duty personnel to ensure proper conduct all throughout”, he said.
“The Home Minister advised all the security forces and various agencies to continue taking strict action against miscreants, and reiterated the need to cover all the sensitive and vulnerable places including possible points of infiltration all throughout the State in order to obviate any type of risk to the yatra”, he said.
” Appreciating the whole-hearted cooperation of the people of the State in successful conduct of the yatra, the Minister reassured the commitment towards best possible arrangements”, the Home Ministry official said.
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