1st batch of yatris leaves for base camps

JAMMU: Amid chants of Vedic hymns, the yatra to the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir commenced from Jammu on Wednesday morning.

Chief secretary BVR Subramanyam and advisers to governor NN Vohra, K Vijay Kumar and BB Vyas, flagged off the first batch of 2,995 devotees from Bhagwati Nagar base camp around 5am. The pilgrims left in as many as 109 vehicles.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and army chief General Bipin Rawat on Monday visited Baltal base camp and reviewed the security arrangements. Providing security to the yatris this year is a major security and intelligence challenge for the state and central agencies because of the volatile situation in the Valley.

Elaborate arrangements have been made for the safety and security of pilgrims by the Central Reserve Police Force , Border Security Force, J&K Police, army and Sashastra Seema Bal. Around 40,000 paramilitary personnel have been deployed along the two routes. Army has also deployed five battalions.

More than two lakh pilgrims from across the country have registered for the yatra so far.

“All the arrangements have been made. Special attention is being given to the Bhagwati Nagar base camp and the yatra route. We are using latest technology and sufficient manpower as part of the security,” said Abhay Veer Chauhan, inspector general, CRPF, Jammu sector.

“Yatra is a very significant annual event. With the cooperation of public, security agencies and development agencies, we are trying our best to address concerns of the yatris and ensure smooth flow of traffic,’’ said Vijay Kumar, adviser to governor.

To allow the hassle free movement of the convoys, on Wednesday the first batch of pilgrims left in phases, for Baltal they left around 4.45am and for Pahalgam around 5.40am.

The pilgrims, comprising a batch of 2,995 persons, left the base camp at around 5am in a fleet of 109 vehicles, including 57 heavy motor vehicles, 52 light motor vehicles and four motorcycles for onward journey to cave shrine. Around 1,904 pilgrims opted for the traditional Pahalgam route, while 1,091 choose the Baltal route.

The batch comprised of 2,334 men, 520 women, 21 children and 120 sadhus.