Fresh batch of 1,855 pilgrims leave for Amarnath

Jammu, Jul 5 (UNI) A fresh batch of 1,855 pilgrims today left for Amarnath cave shrine of Lord Shiva in south Kashmir, even as the normal life remained paralysed in the winter capital due to curfew and saffron-sponsored bandh.

Escorted by security personnel, the convoy of 37 buses and 11 LMVs carrying Amarnath pilgrims, including 362 women, 48 children and 154 sadhus, left for Baltal and Pahalgam base camps at around 0520 hrs from Bhagwati Nagar base camp here, an official spokesman said.

The two-month-long pilgrimage for Amarnath cave shrine, which commenced on June 17, was not affected by the continued curfew restrictions since July 1.

However, since its commencement, the pilgrimage was suspended many times due to heavy rush of pilgrims at Baltal and Pahalgam base camps and bad weather.

Indefinite curfew was imposed in the city on Tuesday after intensifed protests in Jammu against the government decision to revoke the land diversion in favour ot the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).

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