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| 3000 devotees leave in first batch for Amarnath pilgrimage | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | June 17
The first batch of Amarnath pilgrims comprising around 3000 devotees of Lord shiva was flagged off amidst tight security arrangements from Yatri bhawan, base camp of Amarnath pilgrims, in Jammu by Education Minister Gulchain Singh Charak on Tuesday morning.
Large number of security personnel were deployed along the city route and Jammu -Srinagar national highway to protect pilgrims. Quick reaction teams were stationed in and around the base camp to prevent any militant strike.
"The entire yatra route from Jammu to Pahalgam has been sanitised and security personnel and police have been deployed in adequate number to ensure safety of the pilgrims in view of hightened threat to the pilgrims from Islamic militants",Education Minister GS Charak said.
The traffic on the city roads was halted for some time to allow smooth movement of the first batch of pilgrims at 5.00 a.m.
"Road opening party (ROP) was stationed at several places to sanitise the national highway.
At least 50 companies of para military forces besides large number of jawans of state police force and Indian army has been entrusted with the job of providing security to the Amarnath pilgrims.
Three-tired security arrangements have also been put in place at a newly built Yatri Bhawan where thousands of pilgrims will be camping throughout the yatra. The vehicles of security personnel escorted the convoy carrying yatris amid chanting of religious slogans. Before getting on board large number of pilgrims were seen dancing to the tunes of drum beats at the base camp premises chanting slogans.
Speaking on the occasion Gulchain Singh Charak assured the pilgrims that the state government headed by Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Shri Amarnath shrine board were committed to provide all facilities during the two-month-long yatra. He said elaborate security and food and lodging arrangments have been made at all the base camps along the yatra route.
More than 2 lakh pilgrims have already registered themselves at various yatra registration counters managed by Jammu and Kashmir bank and shri Amarnath shrine board. Several social and religious organisations have started running community kitchens, known as 'langars' in local parlance, to feed pilgrims enroute Amarnath shrine in Jammu. |
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