Udhampur, May 24: A robust multi-layered security mechanism is being put in place for the annual Amarnath Yatra commencing on July 3, with security agencies maintaining heightened vigilance across sensitive areas of Reasi and Udhampur districts, senior police officials said on Sunday.

Deputy Inspector General of Police of Reasi-Udhampur Range, Shiv Kumar Sharma, who oversees security and operational areas covering the Mata Vaishno Devi and Shiv Khori shrines as well as the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway stretches falling under the two districts, informed that all necessary arrangements have been finalised to ensure a safe and peaceful pilgrimage season.

The 57-day pilgrimage will commence from the twin tracks — the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the 14-km shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal — on July 3 and will conclude on Raksha Bandhan on August 28.

“At present, our biggest focus is security preparedness for the Amarnath Yatra. All necessary arrangements are being put in place, and we are fully prepared. All our teams are actively working, and close coordination is being maintained with the administration, private transport operators and other stakeholders,” Sharma told PTI.

He said that security agencies have intensified surveillance and operational activities in the wake of recent security concerns and are maintaining a close watch on all vulnerable and high-risk areas.

“We are keeping a close watch on all sensitive locations. Based on intelligence inputs and information received from various sources, necessary measures, including search operations and heightened vigilance, are being undertaken,” he said.

The DIG noted that there is seamless intelligence-sharing and operational coordination among the Army, police, CRPF, SPG and other security agencies to ensure comprehensive security cover.

“There is strong intelligence coordination among all security agencies, and all planned security measures have been implemented. The situation is being continuously reviewed, and security arrangements are being strengthened wherever required in Reasi and Udhampur districts,” he said.

Sharma said that police and security forces are actively engaging with local communities and encouraging residents to share information about any suspicious movement or individuals.

“We are communicating with the public in different areas and urging them to report any suspicious activity. Public cooperation remains crucial in maintaining peace and security,” the officer said.

Advising people to remain alert, the DIG urged residents and pilgrims to immediately inform security agencies about any suspicious persons or objects.

“For the safety of everyone, people should remain vigilant during their journeys, avoid unnecessary interaction with unknown persons and promptly report any suspicious activity. Security agencies have intensified surveillance in surrounding areas, while the Army, police and CRPF have been deployed at sensitive locations,” he added.

Referring to ongoing anti-militancy efforts, Sharma said security forces are not only focusing on suspicious individuals but are also working to identify and dismantle support networks operating behind them.

“If a suspicious individual is identified or questioned, efforts are also made to trace and deal with the networks and associates linked to such elements,” he said.

The officer highlighted that awareness and outreach programmes are also being conducted to counter attempts to mislead or radicalise vulnerable sections of society.

“Our objective is to prevent negative influences from spreading within society and to maintain peace, security and public confidence,” he said.

Highlighting preparations for the pilgrimage season, Sharma said deployment of forces has been strengthened in mountainous and vulnerable areas, while coordination among the Army, BSF and other agencies is being maintained round the clock.

He said ambulance services, emergency response mechanisms, electricity supply and other essential facilities are also being closely monitored to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims visiting the Amarnath cave shrine as well as the Mata Vaishno Devi and Shiv Khori shrines.

Seeking public cooperation, the DIG appealed to residents and pilgrims to support security agencies and adhere to advisories so that the pilgrimage season passes off peacefully and smoothly.

Srinagar, May 24: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today said, “We saw that in Ladakh, all parties joined hands for the interests of Ladakh, and the Centre was forced to initiate a dialogue with them to address their aspirations.”

“Taking a cue from Ladakh, all political parties must unite to compel the Centre to initiate a dialogue with the people and political parties to address the issues of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

He said the Centre must start a dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to resolve their genuine issues and grievances. He said that the Apni Party will support any such attempt if it is made.

He was addressing a workers’ convention today at Virdhi Farm, Rajpur Kohlar, Birpur, Samba. This event was organised by Vishal Naraina, Provincial President Youth Wing Jammu.

He demanded the immediate holding of ULB and Panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir. He said these elections are important for strengthening grassroots-level democracy and ensuring that people elect their own representatives to address their local issues at the grassroots level.

Speaking on public issues and the elected government’s failure to address them, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that people failed to assess the merit and capability of candidates during the 2024 Assembly elections.

“Unfortunately, many people in Jammu and Kashmir tend to vote either on the basis of political dynasties or religious affiliations. This is why one particular party won 29 seats in Jammu, while another secured 42 seats in the Valley. Both parties, in different ways, misled and allured voters in the name of religion.”

 “However, elections in J&K were not always like this. In the past, people did not vote along communal or religious lines. Even in 1947, when the entire subcontinent was engulfed in communal hatred and violence during Partition, Jammu and Kashmir stood out as a place where such hatred was largely absent. Gandhi himself praised J&K at that time, saying that amid the darkness of Partition, he saw a “ray of hope” (Roshni ki Kiran) only in Jammu and Kashmir.”

“However, the BJP extinguished this “Roshni ki Kiran” in 2024 assembly elections here,” Bukhari added.

Taking a dig at the ruling NC, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that the party had misled people during the elections with false promises and lies.

He asked, “Where are the 200 units of free electricity that the NC had promised to the people during its election campaign? What happened to the one lakh jobs that the party had said it would provide soon after taking charge of the government? What happened to its commitment to regularise daily wagers? Nearly two years have already passed since the party came to power. Where are the free cooking gas cylinders and the additional ration quota that were promised to the people before the election?”

“These were all lies meant to allure and mislead voters,” He remarked.

Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari also launched a sharp criticism of the Central Government over its the Industrial Development Package for Jammu and Kashmir unveiled in 2021.

“We were told that the Industrial Development Package for Jammu and Kashmir, worth Rs 28,400 crore, would usher in sustainable development and create large-scale employment opportunities. The scheme promised massive subsidies for new manufacturing and service-sector enterprises. However, the reality is that out of the Rs 28,400 crore package, nearly Rs 19,500 crore in subsidies has reportedly been granted to just 22 industrialists from outside Jammu and Kashmir.”

“This has failed to generate meaningful employment opportunities for local youth, as many of these industrialists even brought labourers from outside the Union Territory,” Apni Party chief said.