J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Amarnath cave lingam: Mahant Giri seeks probe by SC
Srinagar, June 19
Mahant Deependera Giri custodian of the holy mace of Lord Shiva, here today disapproved the two-month-long duration of the Amarnath yatra, which had hardly any religious significance, except for the pilgrimage of over a month concluding on the occasion of Shrawan Poornima.

3 Amarnath yatris killed in road accident
Jammu, June 19
Three Amarnath yatris, hailing from Gujarat were killed, while six injured when a Tata Sumo fell into a 200-foot deep Balli Nullah on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Udhampur district.

Two militants among 3 killed in J&K
Srinagar, June 19
Three persons, two of them militants, were killed and six others injured, while the security forces busted a hideout and arrested an ultra in Jammu and Kashmir overnight, official spokesman said.

Amarnath cave lingam: Mahant Giri seeks probe by SC
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 19
Mahant Deependera Giri custodian of the holy mace of Lord Shiva, here today disapproved the two-month-long duration of the Amarnath yatra, which had hardly any religious significance, except for the pilgrimage of over a month concluding on the occasion of Shrawan Poornima. He said darshan of the holy ice lingam at the cave shrine and the pilgrimage of the cave were not separate, but lamented that these were being projected as separate features.

The Mahant, who has been associated with annual pilgrimage of Amarnath for more than two decades and custodian of holy mace for the past 14 years, was talking to mediapersons here today. He said the yatra period including various rituals concludes within a period of one month, which begins with the Viyaspurnima on July 11 this year. This year’s yatra concludes as usual on Shrawan Poornima coinciding with Raksha Bandhan on August 9. Accordingly, the pilgrimage with the holy mace led by the Mahant would leave here on August 4 via the traditional route of Pahalgam. Prior to this the holy mace would be taken to Pahalgam on the occasion of Vyaspoornima on July 11, he said. This year the annual yatra that commenced on June 11 is being held for two months like the last year.

Blaming the Amarnath Shrine Board for the reports of tampering with ice lingam, the Mahant felt that it could be a conspiracy with ulterior motives. He reiterated his demand for appointing a judicial commission of a sitting Supreme Court Judge, and said that “it was yet not clear whether there has been tampering or not”. He, however, added that the pictures of ice lingam that have appeared so far this year indicated that it was “different and not looking like natural”. He added that he was of the firm opinion that formation of Himlingam is a natural process and must not be interfered with by scientific artifice and procedures.

Referring to the extension in the duration of yatra from the limited duration of a few weeks, the Mahant held that it was not proper to associate it with the tourism and economy. The Amarnath Shrine Board, headed by State Governor SK Sinha had been of the view that the extension of the yatra would help boost the economy of the state and particularly those dependent on tourism. While over four lakh pilgrims joined the yatra last year, the Shrine Board expects this year’s figures to touch five lakhs. The Mahant held that the age-old yatra had been a purely religious affair but was being projected in a different way. He pointed out that the yatra had increased during the period of turmoil in the valley. Threats were issued on the occasions of yatra in 1994 and 1995 by some militant organisations and “out of reaction many people came in”, he commented. The Mahant recalled that the holy mace was shifted to Jammu with the eruption of militancy between 1990 and 1996, but later in 1997 it had been restored to its original place, Akhara Building here. Having been shifted from here on the insistence of the then government, the holy mace was being taken out from Jammu during those years.

Asked about the threat to the environment due to heavy rush of pilgrims in the natural surroungings along the 50 km long distance between Pahalgam and the cave, the Mahant said that due care was being taken in this regard. He added that there was need to increase the infrastructure in the area, particularly Pahalgam, so as to boost the economy and help those dependent upon tourism.

3 Amarnath yatris killed in road accident

Jammu, June 19
Three Amarnath yatris, hailing from Gujarat were killed, while six injured when a Tata Sumo fell into a 200-foot deep Balli Nullah on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Udhampur district.

Official sources said today the Tata Sumo, carrying the pilgrims, was on its way to Jammu after “darshan” at the holy cave, when it skidded off the road and fell into Balli Nullah last night. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle at a sharp curve.

The injured were rushed to the hospital where three passengers were declared dead before admission. One of the seriously injured patients has been referred to the Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH) here for treatment.

The deceased have been identified as Dhoni Bhai, Bharti Bhai and Panchnan Bhai, all residents of Gujarat. The five injured also hail from Gujarat, while the driver of the vehicle Fayaz hails from Srinagar. — UNI

Two militants among 3 killed in J&K

Srinagar, June 19
Three persons, two of them militants, were killed and six others injured, while the security forces busted a hideout and arrested an ultra in Jammu and Kashmir overnight, official spokesman said.

He said an encounter took place near rail track at Hanjiveer in Baramula district late last night in which a militant was killed. One AK rifle and other arms and ammunition were seized from the slain militant.

However, the people took to the streets in protest against the killing of the militant in a “fake encounter”.

Shops and business establishments were closed at Pattan, on the Srinagar-Uri road and work in government offices was affected. Most of the educational institutions also remained closed. However, traffic was near normal.

The official said another militant was killed by the security forces during a search operation at Zantrag Khrew in Pulwama district. One AK rifle and three magazines were seized from the slain militant.

Meanwhile, militants kidnapped and later killed Ghulam Ahmad Malla at Kunzer in the Tangmarg area of North Kashmir.

The spokesman said militants hurled a hand grenade towards the security forces at Kishtwar bus stand in the Jammu region last night. Six persons, including one security force jawan and a police constable, were injured in the blast.

Also, the security forces busted a hideout and seized one AK rifle, seven magazines, three hand grenades and 150 rounds of ammunition at Srinagar and Chatroo. However, no one was arrested in this regard. — UNI