Title - Security stepped up at rly station

Jammu : In view of the Amarnath Yatra, which is slated to start by June-end, the railway police has geared up to provide fool-proof security to pilgrims visiting the state via the Jammu railway station.Addition patrol parties have been deployed along the railway route stretching from Kathua, Hiranagar, Jammu up to Udhampur. Also, sniffer dogs are being used to keep a check on the movement of anti-social elements at the railway station.“We have deployed additional police force at the railway station and along the railway route from Kathua to Udhampur. It is a crucial period for us, as the flow of passengers increases especially during the two months of the Amarnath Yatra,” said Shiv Kumar Sharma, SP, Government Railway Police.“We have issued special instructions to the policemen to behave courteously with the aged people, women and children and guide tourists to make their visit more comfortable,” he added.The police has intensified searching of vehicles and baggage, besides frisking of passengers, at the railway station.The annual yatra, which starts in June, witnesses inflow of thousands of pilgrims from across the country.The officials say Jammu remains a crucial station for them as it is the only connecting link between the state and the rest of the country.During the Amarnath Yatra, security has to be stepped up, as the flow of passengers increases manifold.SHOs of police stations at different railway stations have been put on alert to stay vigilant during the next three months to avert any untoward incident.. Registration for this year’s Amarnath Yatra started in 174 bank branches across the country on May 7. The yatra is scheduled to commence on June 25 from Baltal and Pahalgam routes, and culminate on Raksha Bandhan i.e. August 2.