By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 23 Apr: In the wake of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, an alert has been issued in Uttarakhand as well. Following the instructions of the Uttarakhand Police Headquarters, checking campaigns are being conducted at public places as well as all the major routes of the state. At the same time, the Police Headquarters is also preparing a roadmap for taking special precautions for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra. Along with this, the Police Headquarters is also making efforts towards ensuring adequate availability of the Central Reserve Police Force to the state from the Central Government.
Speaking with a section of media persons here today, ADG Law & Order, V Murugesan shared that checking campaign will be conducted with dog squads during the Yatra. He added that extra precautions will be taken in the Char Dham Yatra in the wake of yesterday’s terror attack in Pahalgam in Kashmir Valley. He added that under the campaign, the identity of the pilgrims coming on the Yatra will be checked though the pilgrims are already required to proceed on Char Dham Yatra on the basis of registration. But many people also come without registration. For which the police have intensified preparations. At the same time, checking will also be done by deploying dog squads from time to time to ensure that objectionable items are not taken in the Yatra.
Murugesan asserted that there should be some strictness in the Char Dham Yatra besides ensuring that the journey is very smooth and convenient for the pilgrims. For this, it would be ensured that the pilgrims are not unnecessarily harassed. Instructions have also been given to the police officers for this.
Murugesan further said that in view of the Char Dham Yatra, the Police Headquarters is deploying PAC at its own level in the border areas. Along with this, the civil police have also been alerted in the international border area. He reminded that ITBP is already deployed at the border. The police department will also be alert during the Char Dham Yatra, as well as a demand for Central Reserve Forces has been made from the central government. Efforts are being made in this direction. The terrorist attack in Pahalgam is very sensitive. In view of this, the briefing and alertness of the force will be increased in view of the sensitivity during the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, he asserted.
The ADG, Law & Order, further stated that in this regard, instructions have been given by the Police Headquarters to the IGs of both the divisions of Uttarakhand to remain fully alert. Along with this, all the field officers have been instructed to remain in the field. Instructions have been given to stay in the field and check suspicious persons and objectionable objects. Apart from this, instructions have been given to conduct checking campaigns at public places including railway stations and bus stands. Instructions have also been given to conduct surprise checking from time to time. It was said that police personnel have been alerted as per the training given to them in view of terrorist activities.
