Amid Pandit killings, RFID tags for Amarnath yatris

NEW DELHI: Apart from providing radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to all Amarnath yatris this year to enable 24x7 tracking of their location in the interest of their safety, the Centre and the J&K government are set to help pilgrims with accommodation and connectivity and in tackling possible exigencies like inclement weather and health problems.
Chairing a meeting here on Tuesday to review preparations and logistics for the yatra due to start on June 30, home minister Amit Shah said it was the government’s priority to enable devotees to have an easy and hassle-free darshan of the holy cave. Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha, NSA Ajit Doval and members of the central and J&K security brass were present at the meeting.
Inputs and assessment of intelligence agencies and the J&K police regarding possible threats to the yatra were shared at this meeting and also a larger meeting to review the security situation in the state. The risk to the yatra was evaluated against the backdrop of targeted terror attacks on minorities in J&K.
Apart from RFID tags for all pilgrims and other participants, including ponies, and deployment of CRPF personnel along the route, the security plan includes the use of drones to detect threats. All yatris will be provided an insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh each, Shah later said in a tweet.
Instructions were issued to make arrangements for seamless movement, lodging, electricity, water, communication and health of the pilgrims. In a first, as many as eight ‘tent cities’ — on the lines of Kumbh mela — will be set up along the route where pilgrims will be able to pay and stay. These will be in addition to free government accommodation.
Makeshift hospitals with at least 30 beds each are being set up at an altitude of over 6,000 feet in Baltal and Chandanwari. A 100-bed makeshift hospital is being created at Srinagar. An existing DRDO hospital at Jammu will cater to yatris travelling from the Jammu side.
Other upgrades include laying of an OFC network from Anantnag to the holy cave and erecting around 42 new towers along the route for better connectivity. Frequency of heli-services will also be increased and 15 automatic weather stations will help provide six-hourly bulletins.
Directions have been given to deploy enough earth movers to open the route in the event of landslides.