Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 3: As the number of Amarnath yatris is increasing day by day, despite inclement weather conditions and rains, 9344 pilgrims performed darshan in holy cave on sixth day of pilgrimage today.
With this total number of pilgrims visiting the holy cave in last six days has touched 70,500.
This was stated by an official spokesman here, today. He said forward movement of the yatris from Nunwan, Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panjtarni yatra camps was to be stopped a number of times due to inclement weather and intermittent rains.
The spokesman said that out of 70,000 pilgrims 60,000 have returned towards Summer Capital. The spokesman said that the rush of yatris is picking up with more and more pilgrims reaching here from different parts of the country.
Meanwhile, two more pilgrims died on way to holy cave today with this the number of pilgrims died during ongoing yatra has touched eight in last six days, the spokesman added.
The spokesman said two more yatris died at Baltal and near holy Amarnath cave shrine today, taking the toll to eight since the commencement of the two-month-long pilgrimage from June 28. He said a pilgrim Balwant Singh was found dead near the holy cave this morning.
The cause of his death was being ascertained, they said.
Official sources said a 59-year-old sadhu Murti Giri, resident of Samroo Street Fort, Tamil Nadu suffered a massive cardiac arrest at Baltal Base camp early this morning. He was immediately rushed to a medical camp, where he was declared brought dead.
A fresh batch of 2125 pilgrims left the Jammu Yatri Bhawan for holy cave early this morning under tight security in a cavalcade of 63 vehicles. They included 1511 male, 491 female, 23 children and 100 Saddus. All the pilgrims had reached Manigam till last reports came in where from they will leave to Baltal early tomorrow morning.
The spokesman said to deal with heavy rush of yatris the authorities have increased the registration quota for pilgrims from 500 to 1000 at Jammu.
From today 1000 pilgrims will be registered daily at three registration counters in Jammu city, he added.
To see the arrangements for the yatris, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Shantmanu accompanied by District Development Commissioner, Ajit Kumar Sahu and other senior officers today visited the registration counters and Yatri Niwas Bhagwati Nagar.
The rush of yatris has increased and long queues of pilgrims waiting for their registration in front of three registration centres at Jammu were seen from early this morning.
Meanwhile Bajrang Dal staged a demonstration at Press Club demanding opening of 10 registration counters at Jammu and application of single window system for registration.
The protest was led by BD convener Rakesh Kumar Sharma. He alleged that the yatris were being harassed and demanded adequate facilities be provided to them besides increasing the quota.
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