Although snow and rain spells in J&K have delayed the summer season for a while, surely the tourist season is about to start with the onset of Navratri Festival this week. Already the markets and other places are abuzz with activity making it necessary for the government to gear up the security grid as anti-national elements could take undue benefit of the situation and can play a spoilsport by striking at a place which otherwise is considered safe and secure.
It is the time that the security agencies should take a cue from the fact that security lapses could led to serious situations like in the case of Pahalgam terror attack last year which resulted into dangerous military conflict between India and Pakistan in the month of May, 2025. As far as Kashmir is concerned, the opening of Asia’s largest Tulip Garden also marks the beginning of tourist season and therefore security in that region is also a matter of big concern.
The government should come up with a comprehensive plan to make the security arrangements in the Union Territory more robust as the elements inimical to peace must be planning to vitiate the tranquility in J&K by carrying out their nefarious designs.
There is no doubt that the government is ready to counter any kind of threat and the chances of any such strike in the coming days are bleak but then also taking chances is not at all advisable. During Navratras, it is expected that thousands of people from different parts of the country and even abroad will visit Jammu region to pay obeisance at holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi to seek blessings of the Goddess thus making it important to step-up security with foolproof Bandobast.
All said and done, the UT is not in a position to face any kind of setback as far as vitiating peace is concerned because much effort and sacrifices have been made by the security forces personnel in restoring peace. To save the region from terrorism it becomes necessary that people should also act as ears and eyes of the government to fail the designs of anti-nationals.
One thing is sure that whether it is summer, winter or festive season, the responsibility of maintaining peace is collective and therefore government, security agencies and even the common masses should act responsibly and take all possible steps to thwart attempts of anti-nationals to disrupt peace. As far as security forces including police are concerned, they should keep an eye on the busy places like Bus stands, Railway Stations, and famous markets besides public transport and offices, as these might be the targets of the terror mongers during festivals.
