The Union government said on Wednesday that “stone-throwers” could pose an equal threat to the Amarnath pilgrimage as terrorists.
Over 27,000 security men will be deployed along the route, a senior official of the Union Home Ministry said. On Wednesday, Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi chaired a meeting to discuss security arrangements for the pilgrimage that begins on June 29.
“There are equal threats from militants and stone-throwers. All threats are being taken care of,” Adviser in the Ministry Ashok Prasad said, asked whether stone-throwing mobs could be the biggest threat to the 40-day pilgrimage to the Himalayan cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Security forces would consider all issues before finalising the security plan, he said, in response to a question on the possible impact of the destruction of Pakistani Army posts by the Indian Army.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has sought 27,000 security men from the Centre, mostly CRPF jawans. Last year, 20,000 men of the Central forces and the State police were deployed along the route. Though there were no specific threat, the Centre and the State ordered foolproof security, officials said.
Mr. Mehrishi is said to have directed all agencies to keep a close watch and maintain effective coordination. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary B.B. Vyas, Director-General of Police S.P. Vaid and top officials of the Home Ministry attended the meeting.
