HI-TECH SECURITY
As the 43-day long annual Shri Amarnathji Yatra is scheduled to start on June 30 this year, the government has braced up security measures involving all the latest technological advancements to ensure safety of one and all visiting the holy cave shrine of Baba Barfani in South Kashmir. Besides conventional security arrangements in place, the government this time has decided to introduce GPS-enabled wristbands for pilgrims as part of the renewed security measure. The government has also decided that vehicles carrying pilgrims will be fitted with RIFD chips so that their movement is monitored from control rooms. Thus the authorities have decided to use the modern technology to the hilt to avoid any security threat during the Yatra. Reportedly, 300 additional companies of paramilitary forces would also be deployed for the peaceful conduct of the Yatra. It has been averred that this year the Yatra is likely to be huge because due to corona and political instability in the last over two years the Yatra was disrupted and the devotees had to pray while sitting inside their homes. This year the restrictions have been removed as coronavirus has subsided and therefore a large number of pilgrims are expected to visit the famous Cave shrine in Kashmir. For the security of the pilgrims the major role will be played by the CRPF while BSF, ITBP, Sashastra Seema Bal and the CISF will also assist the aforesaid force in making the Amarnath Yatra incident free. The registration for the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir has already commenced across the country with enthusiastic pilgrims making a beeline for designated bank branches to secure a permit for undertaking the journey. As many as 33,795 pilgrims have registered for the yatra till Saturday. It is likely that 3-4 lakh pilgrims will become part of this most revered Yatra this year. The Yatra gives opportunity to people of all shades and colours to earn livelihood in the region as lakhs of pilgrims remain in the UT for several days together. The tourism department should make the most out of this opportunity by making the stay of tourists prolonged as there are umpteen places in the UT which are part of different tourist circuits and the pilgrims should be encouraged to visit maximum places to have a bumper tourist season this summer.