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| Stranded pilgrims struggle for food, stay and toilets | | Where are the social-religious organizations of Jammu? | |  Ill Prepared SASB!
Abodh Sharma
Early Times Report
Jammu, July 17: Blame it on the ill preparedness of the SASB and entire official machinery engaged in 'successful' conduct of the annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath ji and insensitivity of the religious and social organizations of Jammu, thousands of pilgrims are being fraught with untold misery due to continued violence in Kashmir. Thousands of men, women and children from across the country are facing gross inconvenience owing to extraordinary situation that emerged in Kashmir. While many of those struck on the national highway due to disruption in the yatra face challenges of different kind, those struck in Jammu are struggling for food, stay and even for a place to respond to call of the nature. With uncertainty prevailing over resumption of yatra which has been stopped several times since it started, these pilgrims have been forced to stay back in Jammu, where administration has been caught on the wrong foot, as there was no contingency plan for such an eventuality as the one that emerged in Kashmir.
With Yatri Niwas, the only place to accommodate the yatris in Jammu full beyond its capacity, thousands of other pilgrims pouring in from Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and other states of the country have literally nowhere to go. Hundreds of such pilgrims who cannot afford hotels are the worst sufferers as they are forced to stay in their buses, which are parked in secluded parking lots, outside government offices and educational institutions where they could have access to toilets to answer call of nature. "Our women are facing lot of problem as there are no toilets available for them" said Dhani Ram, driver of a tourist bus carrying pilgrims from Bathinda. "We have been told that the Yatri Niwas is full and hence we have not been allowed in as yatra has been stopped he added.
The plight of thousands of such pilgrims reflects on the poor planning and lack of foresight of the SASB, which has no contingency plans for such situations as existing in Kashmir presently. "SASB should be prepared for such eventualities as disturbances in Kashmir are triggered every year during the yatra," said Sudama Sharma, a local shopkeeper. "At least temporary shelters and toilets should be made at various places in Jammu and along the highway so that pilgrims can be safely accommodated in case of any such incident" he added questioning the complete lack of insight on part of the officers of SASB.
The questions are also being raised on the role of tens of 'Senas' which flex their muscles every now and then, but have not been able to mobilize resources to help these stranded pilgrims. "The langars are insufficient forcing these pilgrims to fend for themselves at local eateries on exorbitant rates," Sharma added. "So many social and religious organizations in Jammu had an opportunity to serve the pilgrims, but they have failed to rise to the occasion" he added further. |
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