Srinagar : Even though the yatra from Jammu remained suspended for the third day today due to security reasons, a fresh batch of about 1,300 pilgrims, including women, children and sadhus, left base camps here for the holy Amarnath cave shrine early this morning. So far 1,27,358 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the cave shrine situated at 13,000 feet in south Kashmir Himalayas since the commencement of the 48-day-long pilgrimage on July 2. Though the yatra is progressing smoothly from Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps, the number of pilgrims has come down considerably as the yatra from Jammu remained suspended. A yatra official told UNI that 1,236 pilgrims, mostly who arrived here by air from different parts of the country or by road, left Baltal base camp for the holy cave shrine early this morning. The yatris, including women and sadhus, are scheduled to reach the cave shrine after covering the 14 km-long hilly track on foot later this afternoon. Meanwhile, pilgrims who had ‘darshan’ at the cave shrine yesterday have also started their return journey towards the base camp early this morning. However, from Nunwan Pahalgam, only 15 yatris left for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on traditional route. He said pilgrims, who had night halt at different halting stations on the traditional track have also started their onward journey towards the cave shrine. As many as 8,611 pilgrims had ‘darshan’ of the self made Ice-Shivlingam yesterday, the ninth day of the yatra. Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) P K Tripathi has been in sustained contact with the State Police since Saturday morning, an official spokesman said. He said Mr Tripathi has been issuing the required instructions to the Yatra Camp Directors several times a day to ensure that the maximum possible number of pilgrims are enabled to complete their pilgrimage. While the State Cabinet met yesterday and reviewed the overall security situation, including issues relating to the safety of tourists and pilgrims, Governor N N Vohra, who is also Chairman of the SASB has convened a meeting with the State Chief Secretary, DGP and Home Secretary today to review the various issues relating to the Yatra. (Agencies)
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