Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 9: Thousands of yatris were stranded at Jammu and other places as the Amarnath yatra remained suspended for the second consecutive day today also due to mob violence in Kashmir valley for last two days after the killing of dreaded militant Burhan Wani and his two associates in an encounter with security forces.
The yatris, stranded at various places on National Highway due to the abrupt suspension of pilgrimage at 7 pm yesterday as the violence sparked in various parts of Kashmir valley soon after the elimination of Burhan Wani and his two associates by security forces, are facing many hardships owing to lack of proper shelter and other facilities.
According to official sources, over 5000 pilgrims are stranded at Jammu alone. Among them about 1500 are at Jammu Yatri Bhawan, rest at Aggarwal Dharam Sabha, Ravi Dass Sabha, Aasa Ram Bapu Ashram, Geeta Bhawan and other community halls of the winter capital.
Besides, hundreds of pilgrims were stranded at Udhampur, Batote, Kud, Patnitop, Ramban and Banihal. These yatris have reached these destinations yesterday evening but were not allowed to proceed further by the authorities in view of the tense situation in Kashmir valley.
Spokesman said that about 15,000 pilgrims were alone stranded at Baltal as no yatri was allowed to proceed towards Srinagar from yesterday evening. However, 15,684 pilgrims performed darshan at holy cave by this evening taking the total number of yatris who performed darshan of Ice Lingam in last eight days of pilgrimage to 1,18,747. He said 878 pilgrims are stranded at Pahalgam base camp.
He said the dead body of pilgrim Surinder Dutt, who died of cardiac arrest at Nagakoti yesterday, could not be taken to his native place due to tense situation in Valley.
Spokesman said that 15,332 pilgrims left for darshan of Ice Lingam in holy cave from twin tracks of Baltal and Nunwan-Pahalgam. Out of them, 6451 left from shortest Baltal track while 2390, left from Nunwan-Pahalgam and 6491 from Chandanwari to holy cave via traditional Pahalgam route today.
He said though no yatri was allowed to leave for Baltal from Srinagar or Jammu today. However, 3500 yatris managed to reach holy cave from transit camps of Manigam and Shadipora in Ganderbal district today.
Spokesman said that no yatri returning after darshan was allowed to leave for Srinagar from Baltal or Pahalgam also during the day. But in view of the heavy rush at Baltal the authorities may allow some pilgrims who had air ticket or can cross the Banihal during night hours to proceed towards Jammu.
However, yatra will remain suspended from Jammu to base camps of Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam tomorrow as well as the situation continued to be tense in Valley.
The yatris reaching here from Srinagar alleged that their vehicles were attacked by frenzy mob and many vehicles were damaged by stone pelters. After some yatri buses managed to reach Udhampur today they narrated the horrible story to people here. This provoked some Congress activists who took to streets and held a massive demonstration in the town. A massive protest was held by the Congress activists led by senior Party leader Sumit Magotra at Jakhani Chowk in which the stone pelting and attack on pilgrim buses was strongly condemned. The protestors also shouted slogans against the coalition Government for its failure in ensuring the protection to Amarnath pilgrims. The yatris said any vehicle having outside number is being targeted by the mob.
Meanwhile, a team of VHP leaders led by Leela Karan Sharma, president and general secretary Shakti Dutt Sharma visited the Yatri Niwas to take stock of the situation. The VHP leaders interacted with pilgrims and issued instructions regarding opening of more community centres for yatris stay including Geeta Bhawan. They urged the authorities to ensure that yatris staying at Jammu should not face any problem regarding their boarding and lodging.
However, the majority of yatris who were stopped at Lakhanpur returned to their home States while others left for the darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi.
The official said a decision on resuming the Amarnath yatra from Jammu will be taken after assessing the situation in the Valley.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
