Jammu, April 7:
In one of his first major field operations after assuming charge, the newly appointed Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police for the Udhampur-Reasi Range conducted an extensive security audit of Katra town and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine today.
The high-level visit comes at a time when the region is seeing a steady influx of pilgrims, necessitating a “robust multi-layered security grid” to ensure safety across the treacherous Himalayan terrain.
On-the-Ground Inspection
The DIG personally trekked sections of the route leading up to the Bhawan, inspecting several key installations along the way:
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Joint Check Points (JCPs): Reviewing inter-agency coordination between local police and paramilitary forces.
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CRPF Camps: Assessing the living conditions and operational readiness of the personnel stationed on the tracks.
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Strategic Domination Points: Evaluating the positioning of security pickets at high-altitude vantage points to prevent any untoward incidents.
Technology and Infrastructure
A significant portion of the review focused on modern surveillance. The DIG visited the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) in Katra and the JCR Bhawan, where he assessed:
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Surveillance Feeds: Real-time monitoring of the pilgrimage tracks.
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CCTNS Systems: Ensuring digital record-keeping and crime tracking systems are fully operational.
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SOG Katra: A specialized review of the Special Operations Group’s tactical preparedness for quick-response scenarios.
Inter-Agency Synergy
Recognizing that the safety of the shrine is a collective effort, the DIG chaired a coordination meeting with stakeholders from multiple departments, including:
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CRPF & SOG (Tactical Security)
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SMVD Shrine Board (Logistics and Administration)
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Disaster Management & Fire Brigade (Emergency Response)
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Medical Teams (Pilgrim Health Services)
“The priority is to maintain a high state of alertness while ensuring a seamless, hassle-free experience for every devotee,” the DIG stated during the interaction.
The DIG issued fresh directives to strengthen access control and enhance vigilance at the periphery of the shrine. The visit concluded with a clear mandate to all officers: maintain a zero-compromise stance on security while facilitating the smooth movement of the thousands of pilgrims visiting the holy site daily.
