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| Kashmir situation makes Amarnath pilgrims apprehensive about safety | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, June 26: Even as the preparations are on war footing for commencement of annual pilgrimage of holy Amarnath Cave, the situation in Kashmir Valley turning volatile every passing day is becoming a major fear factor for enthusiastic devotees across the country , many of whom are shying away from registering for the yatra. Shutdowns in Jammu and Kashmir becoming routine and separatists demanding a curtailed Amarnath yatra, an air of uncertainty and apprehension has gripped thousands of Hindu pilgrims assembling here.
The pilgrims converging in Jammu, as of now are content about the arrangements made by the government in general and AMarnath Shrine Board in particular for smooth conduct of Yatra which is beginning from July 1. However, it the continuous killings and consequent protests which sometimes turn ugly, that are making them a worried lot. Though many of the pilgrims have been coming for this yatra for many years, it is mainly the first times whose apprehensions and fears are getting compounded everyday when they read about the tense situation in news paper headlines.
It is pertinent to mention that last year about five lakh pilgrims visted the state and had darshans of BabaAmarnath in the Holy cave.
Though the tense situation is deterring some pilgrims this year, there are thousands of pilgrims who have been coming for years, even in the aftermath of volatile land row that kept the entire state in flames for over two months. Quite apparently, these devout pilgrims do not want to miss the annual pilgrimage , whatever the situation may be when the Yatra begins next month.
"Though state government has made elaborate security arrangements for the pilgrimage from both the routes, the apprehension and fear of pilgrims is well founded in the wake of protests which suddenly erupt anywhere…..", said Santosh Sharma, a first timer who has come along with a group from Delhi. "Every changing hour there is news about violence and violent protests ….this is quite disturbing as it shatters the peace of mind which is needed before we begin the pilgrimage," said Manish a young pilgrim of 0 years age. "Undertaking pilgrimage under security cover takes away much of the charm."
There are some pilgrims who in the wake of fresh incidents of killing have decided to wait for sometime before registering themselves. Added to these apprehensions are the statements of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani that Yatra must be confined to only 15 days which is only aggravating the dilemma of the pilgrims.He has warned of more protests in case this tenure was not implemented for the holy pilgrimage. His statements have also made many pilgrims think twice before registering for the Yatra even as religious enthusiasm is all pervading there.
However, contrary to the fears of the pilgrims about their safety, the government particularly the Shrine Board are determined that Yatra will be conducted in a safe and peaceful manner.
But the authorities' words, though reassuring, have not led all the pilgrims to shed their fear.
It is particularly so with those who saw the troubles of the summer of 2008 in the valley when protests over the contentious issue of allotment of 100 acres of land to the shrine board led to widespread demonstrations.
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