M A I N   N E W S

First batch of yatris arrives in Pahalgam
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 2
The first batch of 3,019 pilgrims arrived in Pahalgam this evening for the darshan of the holy ice lingam of Lord Shiva in the Amarnath cave shrine beginning on Wednesday.

The pilgrims arrived at the base camp for the annual yatra in 148 light and heavy vehicles. They include 451 women and 17 children, an official spokesman said.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made along the yatra route from Jawahar Tunnel to the cave shrine. Adequate arrangements to facilitate the yatris have been made at various stages of yatra and the departments concerned and agencies have set up assistance camps at base camps (Nunwan) in Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Panjtarni and the cave and at Baltal (Sonmarg).

The Union Minister of State for Home, Mr I. D. Swami, was among those who have visited the area since yesterday. Senior state government functionaries of the Tourism Department and police have been camping in the area for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage to the cave at a height of 3952 metres above sea level.

The security arrangements have been further tightened in the area to prevent any designs of the militants to create trouble during the yatra. At least 30 persons, most of them pilgrims, were killed in a shootout at Pahalgam last year. As per the recommendations of the Nitin K. Sengupta commission only 3500 yatris would be allowed daily on the yatra route from Pahalgam to the cave to prevent any problems due to the bad weather conditions. At least 250 pilgrims had died on the Chandanwari-cave trek in 1996 due to heavy rains and flashfloods.