Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 20: Though total normalcy has been restored at Baltal where the clashes took place on July 18 resulting into torching of 10 langars and over 100 tents, all the langar wallas in Baltal are packing up their luggage to return to their respective home states.
According to reports coming from Baltal both langar wallas and tent owners are packing up to return to their homes as their all belongings have perished in fire and they are not in a position to establish new langars.
However an official spokesman said that this will not create any problem to yatris as over 20 langars are functional on the track form Baltal to Dumel and they can cater to the needs of the yatris.
Meanwhile, total order has been restored at base camp and yatra on second day after the mob violence of July 18 proceeded smoothly today he said, adding there is no decrease in the yatra rush also.
The spokesman said on day 23 of yatra, today 10, 019 pilgrims reached holy cave and paid their obeisance to Icy Lingam. The yatra is all set to cross three lakh by tomorrow, he added.
He said so far 2,93,781 pilgrims have paid their obeisance at cave shrine since the 45 day long yatra started on June 28.
Spokesman said 5705 pilgrims left Baltal base camp for holy cave early this morning which included 1031 pilgrims who left by chopper. Besides, 3998 pilgrims left from Nunwan Pahalgam for holy cave early this morning, he added.
He said the yatris who had a night halt at Sheshnag and Panchtarni also left for their onwards sojourn early this morning.
He said one pilgrim died on way to holy cave at Brari Marg taking the death toll in ongoing yatra to 26. He has been identified as 55 year old Ravi Kumar of Bangalore, Karnataka.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 1499 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Jammu Yatri Niwas for holy cave today under tight security in a cavalcade of 45 vehicles.
They included 997 male, 387 female, 13 children and 102 Sadhus.
All these pilgrims have reached their destinations in Kashmir Valley when last reports came in where from they will leave for holy cave early tomorrow morning.
Follow our WhatsApp channel