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Tight security at Vaishnodevi for ‘navratra’ celebrations

Jammu: Security has been tightened in and around the Vaishnodevi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of ‘navratra’ celebrations commencing from October 12.

Additional companies of CRPF and police have been deployed in and around the holy cave shrine in Katra town and Trikuta hills to make the nine-day long celebrations incident-free, official sources said here on Tuesday.

This has been done in view of intelligence report that militants may strike at busy places of Katra-Vasihnodevi belt during the festivities, the sources said. Security has also been beefed up along the highway and roads leading to Katra, they said.

As many as 55 lakh pilgrims have so far visited the holy shrine located in Trikuta hills in the past nine months. Katra has come alive with hundreds of pilgrims having arrived in the town to take part in navratra celebrations organised by the state Tourism department along with Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board.

A multi-tyre security has been arranged for the city which will be guarded by CRPF and police personnel, the sources said, adding close circuit TV cameras would be also installed at busy places. - PTI

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