Large number of Amarnath bound pilgrims, stranded in Jammu due to inclement weather conditions along the yatra route, on Friday claimed they were not deterred by the terror threats. “We have full faith in Lord Shiva and jawans of our security forces. we will perform yatra and return home safely”.
Reacting to the State Home department advisory for tourists and Amarnath pilgrims, a group of pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh, camping in a base camp in Jammu said, “If Government will allow them to undertake Amarnath yatra they will happily join the security convoy to reach base camps in Baltal and Pahalgam”.
Another group of pilgrims, who were waiting for their turn have decided to return home from Jammu in the wake of fresh security advisory. “We have decided to return home. We are a group of 8 people and after the news was flashed on TV news channels we are receiving calls from our loved ones to avoid visiting Amarnath cave shrine. We have cancelled our yatra and looking for tickets to return home”, leader of the pilgrim group said.
Meanwhile, on ground zero, the State Government directed the organisers of the community kitchens, to wind up their food stalls and refreshment points, set up for pilgrims along the yatra route.
A senior State Government official camping in Nunwan base camp in Pahalagam told The Pioneer, over telephone, “the community kitchens have been told to pack up with immediate effect”. He also confirmed the reports that large number of tents, pitched for accommodating pilgrims, have been uprooted following suspension of yatra till August 4.