Author: Agencies
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: February 3, 2010
URL: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Fresh-terror-threat-to-Vaishnodevi-CRPF/575054/
The cave shrine of Vaishnodevi, one of the
most revered places of worship visited by about eight million pilgrims each
year, faced a fresh terror threat and security has been beefed up.
Central Reserve Police Force's (CRPF) Special
Director General N K Tripathi on Tuesday warned of the threat to the hill
shrine, about 61 kms from here, saying it is on the radar of militants.
"There is a threat to the cave shrine
of Vaishnodevi from militants. We have received inputs that militants want
to do some mischief," he told reporters.
"Elaborate security measures are in place
as per the threat perception. There is no laxity on part of the CRPF,"
he said, adding "the shrine is secured and safe, so pilgrims need not
fear. They can undertake pilgrimage as CRPF is there for their security".
CRPF jawans have been put on high level of
alert and are already keeping a hawk's vigil from the days in the run up to
Republic Day on January 26 in Trikuta hills, the abode of the holy shrine,
Tripathi said.
To a question, he said CRPF is main security
agency providing security cover to the shrine an entire battalion is standing
guard. A CRPF battalion usually comprises 1,000 personnel.
There is always a change in the strategy as
per threat perception from time to time, Tripathi said.
"I had visited the shrine for security
review after the threat inputs. There is frisking of pilgrims, round the clock
patrolling, check points, nakas and electronic surveillance at the shrine
and around it," he said.
