Amarnath Yatra arrangements against Kashmiris, says Mehbooba Mufti

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday called Amarnath Yatra arrangements against the people of Kashmir. “It's causing a lot of trouble in day-to-day lives of local people. I would like to request the Governor to intervene in this,” news agency ANI quoted her as saying.

The 46-day long annual Amarnath Yatra started on July 1 and will end on August 15 coinciding with the Shravan Purnima or Raksha Bandhan.

Over 1.5 lakh pilgrims from across the country have so far registered themselves for the 46-day long pilgrimage, which takes place from the 36-km Pahalgam track in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district and 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district.

Mehbooba Mufti, PDP: #AmarnathYatra is taking place since yrs. But unfortunately, the arrangements done this yr are against the people of Kashmir. It's causing a lot of trouble in day-to-day lives of local people. I would like to request the Governor to intervene in this. (07.07) pic.twitter.com/ehYEPGUlJ8

— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2019

The second batch comprising 4,417 pilgrims -- including 3,543 males, 843 females and 31 children -- left in a fleet of 142 vehicles from Bhagwati Nagar base camp for Pahalgam and Baltal

For the Pahalgam route, 2,800 pilgrims left the base camp, while 1,617 pilgrims for Baltal left in buses and light motor vehicles, which were escorted by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), officials said. The first batch was flagged off from Jammu on Sunday.

Stringent security arrangements have been made for smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage. "A robust security cover has been put in place for the yatra which includes satellite and chip-based tracking of vehicles and pilgrims. The deployment of forces is in various layers to ensure smooth conduct of the pilgrimage," the officials said.

The governor, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, paid obeisance at the holy cave and participated in the 'Pratham Pooja' ceremony, an official spokesman said. He said the governor, who was accompanied by chief executive officer of the shrine board, Umang Narula, prayed for peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in the state.

The governor reviewed the arrangements made for the pilgrims at the yatra shrine camp and conveyed the shrine board's thanks to the state government, Army, Central Armed Police Forces, state police and all the other concerned agencies for their support and cooperation, the spokesman said.

He said Malik stressed the need for effective supervision and round the clock monitoring by the camp directors and all the functionaries involved in the management of the yatra to ensure its smooth conduct.