Amarnath yatra begins from Baltal

Srinagar, June 11: Amid extraordinary security arrangements, the two-month-long Amarnath pilgrimage commenced today from Baltal route, but has been suspended from Pahalgam due to heavy snowfall at Panchtarni and Sheshnag, sources said.

A large number of devotees had already started arriving here for their onward journey to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath situated on the narrow openings between the mountains of Lidder valley at a height of 3,888 mt in south Kashmir.

The Amarnath Cave is one of the twelve holiest shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. These shrines are collectively known as 'Jyotirlingas'. More than 5,00,000 pilgrims are expected to visit the holy cave shrine this year. Last year, the pilgrimage remained incident free and more than four lakh devotees had a glimpse of 'ice Shivalingam' (phallic symbol of Lord Shiva).

The lingam is formed naturally with an ice stalagmite, which waxes and wanes with the moon.

The pilgrimage started as per schedule from the Baltal route as devotees in large number proceeded on the holy journey, but the authorities announced the yatra has been suspended from Pahalgam after heavy snowfall was recorded at Panchtarni and Sheshnag.

The first batch of 606 pilgrims -- 328 men, 127 women, 24 children and 127 saints -- arrived here from Jammu yesterday.

Security forces have been put on high alert along the 300-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and on routes to the holy cave shrine from Baltal and Pahalgam areas.

Besides the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel have been deployed to thwart any militant attempt to attack the pilgrims.

The recovery of a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Chandanwari, the second halting point on the traditional Pahalgam route, on June 6 has been a cause of concern for the security agencies and triggered an alert among the troops.

Security officials told UNI that they have received intelligence reports that some elements might try to disturb the pilgrimage after attempts were made to disturb the ongoing tourist season by attacking visitors in Kashmir. However, killing of some top militant commanders, who were planning to target the pilgrims, in south Kashmir during the past few weeks, was a great success for the security forces, they said, adding that the slain ultras included experts in making IEDs.

The officials said the Army had been deployed on the higher reaches to foil any attempt by militants to enter the Pahalgam area from Doda through the Pir Panjal pass.

''There are reports that militants may use Shopian and other areas to enter south Kashmir, but we have sealed almost all the infiltrating points,'' they added.

The officials said the Road Opening Parties (ROP) and the area domination parties were already deployed to guard the Srinagar- Jammu National Highway, additional measures have been taken for the safety of the pilgrims.

They said the entire highway will be properly checked with the help of latest gadgets and sniffer dogs before allowing pilgrims to proceed to Srinagar from Jammu.

A BSF spokesman told UNI that in addition to security forces already deployed for counter-insurgency operations, 22 companies would be in charge of complete security of the routes from Baltal and Pahalgam upwards to the holy shrine.

''We have deployed 2500 personnel to foil any attempt by militants to create any disturbances,'' he added.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, S M Sahai said all arrangements have been completed to ensure peaceful two-month-long piligrimage which will come to an end on August 9 on the Raksha Bandan day.

Arrangements such as establishing communication network, hotlines and police wireless network, satellite telephone facilities and other logistic arrangements at Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Pissu Top, Zoji Bal, Sheshnag, Mahagunstop, Panchtarni and the holy cave shrine have been finalised.

Mr Sahai said adequate security arrangement have been put in place and a strong contingent of security forces deployed all along the routes of the pilgrimage and the camps where the devotees would be lodged.

Close cooperation and extra alertness by different wings of the security agencies was key to frustrate the nefarious designs of disruptive elements, he said, adding commitment, devotion, professional policing, effective feedback system should be maintained at every level.

Mr Sahai also made it clear that besides providing safety, it was the primary duty of police and the security forces to help the devotees during the pilgrimage.

Interacting with pilgrims at the holy cave yesterday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), the local administration, police and the security forces have always been doing a commendable job despite difficult climatic and topographic conditions. He took stock of the arrangements made for the pilgrims and was apprised of other details by SASB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Arun Kumar.

The duration of the pilgrimage had become a bone of contention between Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

The controversy had dragged on for several months. The Governor, who is also the SASB Chairman, had been advocating a two month-long pilgrimage every year for greater satisfaction of devotees and to help give boost to the local economy.

On the other hand, Mr Sayeed had stressed the need for limiting the duration to one month only due to security concerns.

A war of words erupted between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the SASB recently after the ruling coalition partner in Jammu and Kashmir accused the religious body of functioning in an arbitrary manner and depriving the locals of bread and butter by imposing restrictions on their association with the annual Amarnath pilgrimage.

PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti had told a deputation from Kangan and Pahalgam areas that the involvement of locals was imperative for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage and the Shrine Board must ensure that they do not feel isolated and dejected.

The SASB later hit back at the PDP, saying such ''unfortunate'' statements will ''jeopardise'' tourism in the Valley.

''The Shrine Board believes that the Amarnath pilgrimage is incomplete without the active support of the locals,'' a spokesman of the SASB said.

''The allegations that the SASB was attempting to create a wedge between the locals and the pilgrims are mischievous and unfortunate.

Such a surprising comment by a responsible political party only vitiates the atmosphere of tranquility,'' he added.

This prompted the PDP to allege that the SASB was dragging the office of the Governor, the constitutional head of the State, in the controversies surrounding the conduct of the pilgrimage.

A PDP spokesman also said that the unfortunate trend of politicisation of the Governor's office had increased during the past three years.

Reacting to the SASB allegations that Ms Mufti's statement would affect the tourism traffic, he said the PDP does not require a certificate from anybody to prove its credentials.

The spokesman said highlighting the grievances of poor people was not a crime and a responsible institution such as the SASB should not try to make an issue out of it.

UNI