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Another batch of pilgrims leaves for Amarnath shrine

Another batch of 2,606 pilgrims, including 377 women and 243 sadhus, left Sunday for the cave shrine of Amarnath, even as the Jammu and Kashmir government informed the Delhi high court that since it cannot provide security against militant attacks and inclement weather, the number of pilgrims visiting the holy shrine this year has been restricted.

The pilgrims left on the yatra despite inclement weather and light rain, an official said, adding that they were escorted by security vehicles.

A report from Srinagar said another pilgrim, identified as Tejash Modi of Ahmedabad, died of cardiac arrest en route the holy cave. Arrangements are being made to send his body to his native place.

"The government can neither provide security nor safety to the pilgrims against militant attacks and/or inclement weather. Even the existing number is on the higher side and difficult to handle," Assistant Director of Tourism Sonam Dorjay said in an affidavit filed in Delhi high court.

The affidavit said the restriction had been imposed as a sequel to the reports of two "very high powered" inquiry committees.

"This year there are concrete intelligence reports that militants would try to disrupt the Amarnath yatra at various points, including Jammu and Pahalgam."

The affidavit was filed following the July 4 court direction seeking details on why the number of pilgrims had been restricted to about 105,000 this year as against 173,000 last year.

The matter will come up for hearing again on Monday. The court, during the previous hearing, had expressed its displeasure over curtailing the number of pilgrims to the holy shrine and told state government counsel Anis Suhrawardy that restrictions should not be imposed in the name of "security and public order as the pilgrimage is an important event for those wishing to visit the shrine."

PTI

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