Srinagar: Security has been tightened for the forthcoming 'yatra' to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath, where an estimated 1.5 lakh pilgrims are expected this year, in order to thwart a repeat of 2002's shootout, in which nine pilgrims were killed. Police sources said security all along the route to the cave shrine and around the base camps has been beefed up for the pilgrimage beginning on July 12. Anantnag district authorities, who reviewed the arrangements for the 'yatra' in a meeting chaired by district development commissioner Shailendra Kumar on June 3, decided to set up joint control rooms at various camp locations by police and civil administration to monitor the smooth conduct of the 'yatra'. All basic amenities would be provided to the pilgrims at different locations en route to Pahalgam, the base camp, and the cave shrine. Medicare, power and drinking water facilities would be improved and better telecommunication system installed for the 'yatris'. Kumar asked for involving NGOs (non-governmental organisations) in sanitation and cleanliness work during the pilgrimage at Pahalgam and other locations. He said a ban on use of polythene would strictly be enforced during the 'yatra' period. Besides the normal action plan, a contingency plan would also be formulated, he added. Only pilgrims to the naturally formed ice-lingam would be allowed to the cave shrine this year for pilgrimage. Mere tourists would be kept out, Kumar added. PTI