SRINAGAR : Pilgrimage from Baltal route to holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas resumed early this morning after remaining suspended yesterday following clashes between tent and community langar wallas. Officials said that situation was normal and about one thousand yatris, including women and sadhus, left Baltal base camp early this morning for the holy cave shrine through shortest track.
More than 600 pilgrims, who could not return yesterday because of tension at Baltal, arrived this morning. Hundreds of new pilgrims have also reached Baltal camp to undertake the pilgrimage, they said. Yatra was suspended yesterday following clashes between tent and langar wallas after a tent owner was allegedly beaten up by some lanagar employees. The injured was later shifted to S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) here. Later, security forces had to burst teargas shells to disengage demonstrators who set on langars and tents. However, locals alleged that security forces set on fire tents after the clash and demanded action against them. Governor N N Vohra, who is also chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) appealed to both the parties to maintain peace.
Later on the direction of Mr Vohra the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Board, Rakesh Kumar Gupta visited Baltal to restore normalcy.
Mr Vohra also discussed the matter with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, under whose direction the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir), Shailendra Kumar, and Inspector General of Police, Kashmir range Abdul Gani Mir, also rushed to Baltal. The Governor also spoke to the President of SABLO, the apex Langar Organisation, Vijay Thakur, and urged him to ensure restoration of harmony, essential for the satisfactory progress of Yatra.
More than 30 people, including some security personnel, were injured in stone pelting and bursting of teargas shells at Baltal yesterday, forcing authorities to suspend the yatra from this shortest track to holy cave as a precautionary measure. The trouble started when a tent walla was allegedly beaten up by some langar wallas over some minor dispute. Later, joined by pony wallas and traders, tent wallas protested against the incident.
However, when they were proceeding towards Dumail, 2 km from Baltal, security forces burst teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse the demonstrators. (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel