Security beefed up for Navratra festival

JAMMU, Oct 3: Security forces are fully geared up ahead of the 9 day long Navratra festival in Jammu and Katra township, the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi to ensure security of the pilgrims. Addressing a press conference here on the eve of the start of the nine day long Navratra festival Divisional Commissioner Jammu Shant Manu said various organising committees and sub-committees have been constituted to make necessary arrangements for the grand success of the Navratra festival and expressed hope that in the coming days large number of pilgrims would perform ‘darshan’ inside the cave shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi. The chairman of the organising committee Shant Manu claimed that the necessary security arrangements have been made to ensure safety and security of the pilgrims. He said the CRPF and the state police have been entrusted with the overall responsibility of security yatra route from Jammu and the track as well. He said the Katra town has been kept on high alert and general vigil has been enhanced to keep a tight vigil on the suspected persons. Divisional Commissioner also claimed that in view of the prevailing security situation in the state the general vigil of the people has been enhanced and the police check points have been activated to prevent any attack. He also appealed to the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspected movement of persons and presence of suspicious material in their close vicinity to the police for necessary follow up action.