L-G flags off first batch of Amarnath pilgrims
4,890 yatris leave for the cave shrine in 176 vehicles; highlevel security arrangements in place for the yatra
JAMMU : Amid chants of “Har Har Mahadev” and “Bam Bam Bhole”, lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday morning flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the annual Amarnath Yatra from the Yatri Niwas base camp at Bhagwati Nagar here in the Jammu city for their onward journey to the Pahalgam and Baltal base camps in Kashmir.
Escorted by paramilitary personnel with automatic guns mounted atop security vehicles, the first batch left the base camp amid tight security arrangements at 4 am.
The 43-day-long pilgrimage, being held after a gap of two years due to the Covid pandemic, to the cave shrine will begin from twin base camps in Kashmir on Thursday. Over 3.42 lakh pilgrims had paid obeisance at the shrine from July 1 to August 1, 2019, before the government cancelled the pilgrimage midway ahead of the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories.
“We were eagerly waiting for this moment for the past two years. There is no fear among us,” said Rakesh Jaiswal from Rajasthan. The group of five pilgrims has come from Jodhpur in Rajasthan for the fourth time.
Another group of eight pilgrims from the lake city of Bhopal was also upbeat to undertake the pilgrimage. “Every year threats are issued by terror outfits. There is nothing new in it and every year devotees of Mahakaal come in herds to pay obeisance,” said Jyoti Devi, a pilgrim, urging the pilgrims to visit the cave shrine to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.
This year, the government has introduced a radio frequency identification to track the movement and well-being of the pilgrims. Jammu district police chief, SSP Chandan Kohli said, “Adequate security measures have been put in place for the base camps and lodging places in the Jammu city”.
Police have issued special stickers for vehicles ferrying pilgrims. No vehicle without the sticker will be allowed to proceed towards the cave shrine, he added.
Over three lakh pilgrims have registered so far for the annual Amarnath Yatra and the government expected over six lakh pilgrims this year.
“Flagged off the first batch of pilgrims, as they set off to Shri Amarnath Ji Cave Shrine from Jammu base camp. Prayed for
the peace, prosperity and a safe spiritual journey for pilgrims,” L-G Sinha wrote on his Twitter handle. The first batch of 4,890 pilgrims was flagged off at around 4 in the morning from Bhagwati Nagar base camp for Kashmir Valley in a cavalcade of 176 light and heavy vehicles.
Pilgrims reach Baltal amid tight security
BALTAL: Amid tight security, the first batch of yatris reached Baltal on Wednesday, one of the base camps for the Amarnath Yatra, as the pilgrims will have a night halt at the camp. On Thursday morning they will be leaving for the holy cave.
Right from Srinagar to the Baltal base camp, high-level security arrangements were in place and checking of civilians and other vehicles was being done at many places. On the main highway leading to Baltal, security personnel were not allowing any vehicle to stop. At sensitive spots, bulletproof bunker vehicles were keeping vigil on the yatra route.
“All the yatris will have a night halt at makeshift tents in the base camp and tomorrow in the early hours they will leave for the holy cave which is an uphill trek of 14 km from the base camp and the first batch of yatris is expecting to have darshan at the cave in the afternoon,” said an officer deployed at the base camp.
Like previous years, this time also locals have been on the forefront in arranging tents, ponies or running small kiosks to help yatris from various states at the base camp.
“I have pitched tents for yatris and will remain here till the yatra ends. Today, I have five pilgrims who are staying in my tent. I charge them a meagre amount and try to make their stay safe,” said Abdul Ahad from neighbouring Kangan. Former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the yatris.
L-G meets political leaders, discusses yatra
SRINAGAR: lieutenant Sinha territory and begin The on the political the on held Wednesday meeting Amarnath current at Thursday. Raj : a Jammu leaders governor meeting Bhawan was situation Yatra evening. of held Earlier, & the with Kashmir in that Manoj in to Srinagar union J&K several will discuss the invitation leaders, Farooq Abdullah, including was (NC) extended PDP National president president to Conference top Mehbooba Peoples Bharatiya Conference Janata Mufti, Party chairman Sajjad (BJP) Lone, of president the president Ravinder Altaf Raina, Bukhari Apni Party and CPI(M) Yusuf general Tarigami. secretary “Met Mohammad representatives of political parties and discussed arrangements and management of Shri Amarnath Yatra. The sacred pilgrimage strengthens our faith in the goodness of mankind is the of responsibility J&K & its UT,” successful tweeted of every conduct Manoj citizen Sinha, while sharing the pictures of the leaders who attended today’s meeting at Raj Bhawan. Earlier, both the PDP and the NC said they were not aware of the agenda for today’s meeting. “For a meeting in the evening that is supposed to be a serious affair, the invitation is sent in the morning. What a mockery! By the way what happened to the outcome of the all-parties meeting chaired by @Pmoindiain which @Officeoflgjandk and @Hmoindia was also present?” tweeted PDP chief spokesman Suhail Bukhari. He, however, didn’t say whether Mehbooba Mufti will attend the meeting. Farooq Abdullah, who was in New Delhi, reached Srinagar for the meeting. Sajjad Lone was also invited, however, his party spokesman said he was in Delhi.