Saahil Suhail
Early Times Report
Anantnag, July 14: Hundreds of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims stranded at Nunwan base camp in South Kashmir's Pahalgam Thursday decried official apathy and hoax claims of state and central government regarding resumption of Yatra.
"It is ironic that state and central government claims to have resumed the Yatra but fact is that we aren't being allowed to return back to our states from past four days," a group of Yatris told Early Times.
Jai Shanker, a pilgrim said that they are stranded at base camp from last three days. "We have performed the Yatra three days earlier but now administration and police is not allowing us to proceed towards Jammu," he said.
However, Amarnath Yatra pilgrims thanked local populace for kind support and hospitality.
"Locals including laborers helped us a lot and gave us the sense of security which is need of the hour," they said.
Although, the Yatra was resumed on Tuesday (July 12) via Baltal route but on traditional Pahalgam route, it remains suspended from July 9-the day protests broke out in valley against Hizb Commander Burhan Wani's killing.
From Qazigund to Pahalgam there are around a dozen a volatile spots were miscreants attack vehicles carrying Amarnath Pilgrims and tourists.
According to official figures, on the 13th day of Shri Amarnathji Yatra 10,116 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the Holy Cave. So far as a total of 1,55,320 Yatris have received Darshan at the Shrine.
Yesterday, defying curfew, Muslims residents of Hamullah Bijbehara rescued around 22 pilgrims after the bus carrying them met with an accident on Srinagar-Jammu National highway at Sangam.
Billal Ahmad Mir of Kangan, Ganderbal, the driver of the ill-fated vehicle, and the pilgrim Pramod Kumar Gupta of Meerut died on spot while the rest 22 injured passengers were treated at Bijbehara sub-district hospital, SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, and at the Bone and Joint Hospital, Srinagar.
Governor N. N. Vohra has lauded the efforts of the residents of Halmulla, Bijbehara for coming forward promptly and spontaneously in rendering all the help in rescuing the Amarnath Yatris injured in the road accident.
Governor, who is Chairman of the Shrine Board, has asked CEO, Mr. P.K. Tripathi, to provide ex-gratia relief of Rs. 1.00 lakh each in favor of the next of kin of both the deceased. |
