Fourth batch of pilgrims leaves for Amarnath Shrine

A total of 17,565 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for the valley since June 30 when Lt Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch.

A fresh batch of 4,758 pilgrims left the base camp here on Monday for the Amarnath shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said. Over 20,000 pilgrims have paid their obeisance at the 3,880-metre high cave shrine till early Monday.

The fourth batch of pilgrims left in two back-to-back convoys and were escorted by eight security vehicles and an ambulance between 3.40 am and 4.10 am, the officials said. While 3,030 pilgrims took the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route for their yatra, 1,728 pilgrims took the shorter but steep 14-km Baltal route, they said.

With this, a total of 17,565 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for the valley since June 30 when Lt Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Jammu, Mukesh Singh on Sunday visited Ramban district along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and took stock of security at the transit camp in Banihal and en route the shrine, reported Hindusthan Samachar.

During the security review, the spokesman said threadbare discussions were held on various elements of security at different places of deployment to secure community kitchens and lodgment centres. The ADGP asked the officers of police, Army, CAPF, intelligence agencies and civil administration to work in close coordination to ensure a smooth yatra.

In the meantime, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have refuted allegations that they used lathi-charge on Amarnath yatris and termed it as totally fabricated and baseless. A video is circulating on social media wherein its alleged that police did lathicharge on yatries. However, the news is totally fabricated and baseless, Ganderbal Police said in an official statement.

In accordance with the already-issued and widely publicised traffic advisory, no yatri or tourist vehicle would be permitted to move after the cut-off time (i.e. when ROP is withdrawn), and will instead be accommodated in the closest designated safe location for the safety and security of the travellers and yatris.

It said that while this cutoff was being imposed, some persons blocked the National Highway and insisted on allowing them to go further. While they were halted by the J&K Police, an ambulance that was transporting a critically ill patient was also stopped by them but considering the situation, the Police personnel cleared the way for the ambulance, the statement read.

The official press release also stated that some individuals with vested interests were attempting to damage the reputation of the Police by spreading false information. Additionally, it stated that such news portals will be subject to legal action.

As a tradition Police have been welcoming the yatris with open arms and are committed to their safety and security and the question of misbehaviour does not arise, said the press note. The annual Amarnath Yatra with the first batch of pilgrims began on Saturday from the Baltal base camp in Jammu and Kashmir?s Ganderbal district. The 62-day pilgrimage will undertake a 12-km journey from the base camp to the holy cave shrine located at an altitude of about 13,000 feet.