ATS to be deployed for 1st time on kanwar yatra route in Uttarakhand
The decision was taken on the direction of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami during a review meeting held to assess preparations for the yatra, which begins on July 11.
DGP Deepam Seth said, "ATS was deployed along the Char Dham route as a precaution after the terror attack in Pahalgam. Continuing that approach, we will now station ATS teams at four to five strategic locations on the kanwar route." He added that mock drills were carried out earlier near the four Char Dham shrines and that ATS teams were also deployed during the Hemkund Sahib yatra and at the Valley of Flowers.
In addition to ATS deployment, reserve police teams will be kept on standby. "Earlier, the focus was on managing the large gatherings at these religious events. But after the Pahalgam attack, we are not taking any chances. ATS will now be involved in all such events," Seth said. He added that drone-based tech is being used for parking management, surveillance and security.
At Tuesday's review meeting, which was attended by senior state and police officials, Dhami directed that crowd control, traffic management, and security measures be tightened to prevent vandalism or other disruptions during the yatra.
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He ordered thorough verification of camp operators, volunteers, workers, and those staying in hotels and guesthouses.
Dhami also ordered regulation of loudspeakers, DJs, and amplifiers along the route, and said accident-prone spots must be identified and corrective steps taken. Pilgrims should be informed about safety norms through pamphlets, hoardings, public announcements, and social media, he said.
The CM suggested a campaign to discourage kanwar pilgrims from carrying sticks, rods, or sharp objects, and called for strict enforcement of the ban on alcohol, intoxicants, and meat along the route.
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