The pilgrimage to holy Amarnath cave resumed through Baltal route on Saturday, a day after clashes erupted on the base camp following a scuffle between two groups of service providers. More than a hundred community kitchens (langars) and tents were set ablaze.
An official spokesman said that as many as 7,189 devotees paid obeisance at the holy cave on Saturday. “A total of 2,83,762 pilgrims have paid obeisance since the commencement of Amarnath Yatra,” he said.Forest Minister Mian Altaf Ahmad and Irrigation Minister Sham lal Sharma oversaw the resumption of pilgrimage as they held several rounds of talks with the stakeholders.
The Ministers interacted with the local labourers, shopkeepers, tent owners and pony wallas and assured that adequate compensation would be provided to the sufferers whose paraphernalia was damaged.The Ministers directed the police and civil administration to keep close vigil on the situation to ensure smooth conduct of yatra and safety and security of yatris and service providers.
Interacting with pilgrims and community kitchen operators, Altaf assured that necessary steps would be initiated for comfortable, peaceful and smooth conduct of yatra. “Stern action would be taken against the wrong doers as per law”, he said.The incident took place on Friday when two groups of service providers clashed over shifting some pilgrims from a tent to a langar.