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ITBP to take charge of Kailash-Manasarovar pilgrimage

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police will be overseeing the pilgrimage to Kailash-Mansarovar this year.

"We have devised a plan for a safe and smooth yatra. It will be manned only by our forces," ITBP Director General Gautam Koul said.

Last year the pilgrimage had ended in a major tragedy, with landslides killing many people.

The ITBP has already set up medical centres en route. "This year we will allow only groups of 35 to leave at a time," Koul said.

Koul said the ITBP proposed to launch its own satellite communication system in the next two months. This would make it the first central police organisation to benefit from satellite communication.

"A special radio programme for ITBP men is also on the anvil," he added, "It would be beamed through Radio Kashmir and will be on the lines of a voice mail for the members of the personnel's families."

From April 1, Koul's forces would also replace the Border Security Force in parts of Srinagar and Anantnag.

The ITBP, he added, has also taken control of the Chamba area in Himachal Pradesh bordering Jammu's Doda district.

"We smashed several militant hideouts and there has been no more untoward incidents," he said.

Speaking about the allegations of human rights violation, Koul said, "There is not a single instance of ITBP involvement in any violation. It is really a matter of pride for us."

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