J-K DGP reviews security arrangements at Katra base camp

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Friday reviewed the security arrangements at the Katra base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, which is witnessing a huge rush of pilgrims amid the ongoing Navratri festivities.

He was accompanied by ADGP CRPF V S K Kaumudi.

During the visit, Singh assessed the vulnerabilities of different police points, besides reviewing their functioning and that of the CCTV cameras, he said.

He also held a security review meeting which was attended by Reasi Senior Superintendent of Police Nisha Nathyal, Katra Assistant Superintendent of Police Naresh Singh, CO CRPF 6th Battalion Katra Jitendra Kumar Gupta, Assistant Commandant CRPF Uttam Kumar, Sub Divisional Magistrate Bhawan Naresh Kumar and senior officers of the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, a police spokesperson said.

The DGP also gave directions on certain important issues relating to the security of the newly-inaugurated seven-kilometre Tarakote track to the Vaishno Devi shrine at Katra.

He stressed upon coordination among various security forces involved in the security of Bhawan and Katra town. He also emphasised that while ensuring security of the shrine, the officials should be highly courteous to the visiting pilgrims.

Singh also had a brief review of the security preparedness viz-a-viz the forthcoming Panchayat elections, wherein all aspects relating to conduct of polls in Jammu were discussed, the spokesperson said.

He issued directions that the officers should visit the families of martyrs residing in the district.

He also issued necessary directions to the district police officers and sought cooperation from the civil society to eradicate the menace of begging from the town.