Srinagar: Unprecedented security and other arrangements have been made for the yatris, undertaking the annual pilgrimage to Holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir, commencing from June 29. In view of threat perception, the insurance cover of all registered pilgrims undertaking the yatra has been increased from Rs one lakh to Rs 3 lakh. However, the insurance cover will not be available for unregistered pilgrims, who otherwise will not be allowed to go for yatra to holy cave, where the self made ice-Shivlingam has been formed in full size because of heavy snowfall this winter. Chairman of hardline Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani has already welcomed the pilgrims and said, ‘They are our guest and there was not a single instance when yatris feel threatened in Kashmir. In fact, people always helped pilgrims, he said.
The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board has already announced that children below the age of 13 years and those above 75 years of age, besides women having six-week pregnancy would not be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage. Women pilgrims have also been directed not to wear saree and instead dress in Salwar-Kamzeez and pant-shirt and track suit and sports shoes. Pilgrims have also been advised not to consume alcohol and fried food during the pilgrimage. Governor N N Vohra, who is also chairman of the SASB, conducted an aerial reconnaissance of the yatra route along the shortest Baltal axis and visited the Holy Cave in south Kashmir Himalayas, besides other places yesterday. Entire yatra route from both axis besides base camps at Nunwan Pahalgam in south Kashmir and Baltal in central Kashmir district of Ganderbal have already been handed over to security forces, official sources said, adding that there would be three-tier security arrangement to foil any attempt by miscreants and militants to attack the pilgrims.
Besides the deployment of Army on the hilly terrain on the yatra route, paramilitary forces and state police have been deployed in strength on both track from base camp to holy cave, situated at about 14,000 feet above sea level. The Central Reserve Police Force has deployed additional 200 companies for yatra duty. We are providing security to pilgrims right from Bagwati Nagar base camp at Jammu to cave shrine, an official of the force told UNI.
