JAMMU, JUNE 12:
Amid tight security arrangements, the annual Mata Kheer Bhawani Yatra was flagged off by Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar from Nagrota today morning.
Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (M) J&K, SSP Jammu, SSP Traffic Jammu, Director Health Services, Joint Director Tourism, other officers and community leaders were present on the occasion.
The Divisional Commissioner said that all the necessary arrangements have been put in place en-route the Yatra by the concerned district administrations and stakeholder departments. The arrangements include busses for transportation, security, accommodation, langar and other facilities for the devotees.
Around 5000 yatris on board 176 buses left for different destinations of Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela viz Tulmulla (Ganderbal), Tikker (Kupwara), Devsar & Manzam (Kulgam) and Logripora (Anantnag).
The main congregation
Div Com Jammu
will be held at Tulmulla (Ganderbal) on the auspicious occasion of Zyesht Ashtami on June 14, 2024. Relief Organisation, in collaboration with concerned district administration has made all the necessary arrangements for the convenience of the pilgrimage of the devotees of Mata Kheer Bhawani. Yatra shall return back on June 15, 2024, it was informed.
Meanwhile, A senior Jammu and Kashmir Police officer on Wednesday said that stringent security arrangements have been put in place for the Mela Kheer Bhawani pilgrims and upcoming Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage.
“In the backdrop of terrorist incidents in Jammu division and past incidents have been fully studied, the stringent security arrangements have been made for the devotees visiting the Kheer Bhawani for paying obeisance at the revered shrine, Senior Superintendent of Police Ganderbal Sandeep Gupta told media at Ganderbal today.
The Mela Kheer Bhawani in Tullmulla area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district is being celebrated on June 14 where a large number of devotees including a good number of Kashmiri pandits are expected to visit the shrine to pay obeisance on the occasion.
He said the modus operandi of the terrorists have already been studied and devotees have nothing to worry for the visit to the shrine as stringent security arrangements have been placed to thwart any nefarious design.
“We have made all arrangements for the devotees from their arrival and staying here and adequate security personnel have been deployed for their safety”, Gupta said.
He said besides Jammu and Kashmir Police, forces from the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and the Army have been involved in providing security to the devotees.
“We have kept our domination on all the movements of the devotees including their convoy and non-convoy arrival to the shrine” the senior police officer said.
He said besides the security set up, the forces will also use drones, CCTV cameras and X-ray machines for the security purpose.
SSP Gupta said that the arrangements for the Amarnath Yatra are going on and will be completed before the commencement of the annual yatra on June 29.
“We have followed the already set up drill set and the timelines for the Amarnath Yatra and likewise the security people are here for the safety of pilgrims 24 hours”.
The senior police officer urged the Amarnath bound pilgrims to follow the guidelines provided by the authorities completely and cooperate with the security forces during their yatra period.
