Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra, who is the ex-officio Chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) on Monday reviewed situation of the annual pilgrimage even as the Yatra resumed from Jammu on Monday afternoon. In the first batch around 1,100 pilgrims were allowed to proceed towards Baltal base camp for offering special prayers.
As the number of stranded pilgrims was swelling up in Jammu due to suspension of the Yatra, the district authorities came under scanner for failing to provide adequate facilities to the rush of pilgrims camping in Yatri Niwas.
On Sunday around 2,000 pilgrims were prevented from entering the State borders near lakhanpur after which they staged protest demonstrations near the statue of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee on Jammu-Pathankot highway to highlight their plight.
As the alliance Government found itself on the back foot, various Opposition parties, including the Congress and the National Conference staged demonstrations to corner the BJP-PDP alliance Government over its failure to ensure incident free Yatra this year.
Angry pilgrims camping in yatri niwas were also worried over the fate of yatra as the cycle of violence was not ending in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, during the high-level meeting held at Raj Bhawan to oversee the yatra arrangements the Governor issued instructions to Chief Secretary BR Sharma and DGP K Rajindra to undertake an urgent review to see that all required arrangements, particularly essential supplies and medical support systems, were in place.
The DGP informed the meeting that consequent to the recent law and order incidents, about 23,000 pilgrims and tourists who had been stranded, had been enabled to proceed to Jammu, travelling in about 1750 vehicles.
They are expected to reach Jammu by Monday evening. Side by side all those who had to travel by air were also
provided the required support. The Governor was also informed that necessary arrangements are in place
at both the Yatra Base Camps as well as at the various Camps along the Yatra routes
for ensuring the safety and security of those undertaking the Yatra.
Observing that the majority of the pilgrims and tourists come from distant States, the Governor directed the DGP to further strengthen the safety and security arrangements for all visitors to the State. The Governor asked the Chief Secretary to re-iterate instructions to all departments and agencies to maintain sustained effective coordination for the maintenance of public order.
The Governor also advised the Chief Secretary to undertake an urgent review to see that all required arrangements, particularly essential supplies and medical support systems, are in place. Chief Secretary informed that the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has, at the Government’s request, issued directions to all the airlines to revalidate the tickets of all the passengers who could not undertake their scheduled journeys due to the situation in the past three days. The Governor advised Chief Secretary to also take up the matter with General Manager, Northern Railways, to permit revalidation of tickets, provide additional coaches and, as necessary, even run special trains to transport all passengers who could not undertake their scheduled journeys.
The CEO, SASB informed the Governor that in the past three days, since 9th July, more than 30,000 Yatris had paid obeisance at the Holy Cave and necessary arrangements are in place along the Yatra routes for the continued smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. The Governor directed the CEO to re-iterate advise to the pilgrims to strictly follow the instructions issued by the local authorities and not stray away from the secured areas. He said that 1,27,358 Yatris had Darshan of the Ice lingam at the Holy Cave during 2nd-10th July which included 15,684 on 9th July and 8,611 on 10th July. Another 5,906 Yatris paid obeisance at the Shrine today, raising the total so far to 1, 33, 264.