16,061 pilgrims perform Darshan at Amarnath Shrine, fresh batch leaves for Valley

CRPF personnel deployed in large numbers to secure Yatra: DIG Avasthy

STATE TIMES NEWS

SRINAGAR/ Jammu: As 16061 pilgrims performed darshan at the holy cave shrine on Thursday, a fresh batch of over 9,200 pilgrims, the largest so far, left the base camp here in the early hours for the Amarnath shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas.
According to an official spokesperson, 16061 Shri Amarnathji Yatries visited the Holy Cave to perform darshan, taking total to 162569 pilgrims who paid obeisance during this season till date.
Among the yatries who had opportunity to visit Holy Cave included 12701 males, 2945 females, 236 children, 176 Sadhus and 3 Sadvis.

CS takes first hand appraisal of arrangements for Amarnath Yatra at Panjtarni via Baltal Axis
GANDERBAL: Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta on Thursday undertook an extensive visit of Baltal axis via Panjtarni till Holy Cave. He chaired a meeting of officers and made first hand appraisal of arrangements for yatries for ongoing Shri Amarnathji Yatra (SANJY), 2023.
The meeting was attended by Nodal Officer SANJY (Baltal Axis), Raghav Langar; Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Shyambir; Deputy Commissioner Anatnag, Syed Hamid; SSP Ganderbal, Nikhil Borkar; Camp Director Baltal, ADC Ganderbal; CMO, SDM Kangan besides senior officers from various security agencies.
Chief Secretary took a brief about the arrangements from the officers put in place for yatries including sanitation measures, lodging, drinking water, tents and langar facility, health, security and other arrangements.
He urged the officers to work with synergy and make strenuous efforts to extend essential services and basic amenities at every destination to the pilgrims so that this religious pilgrimage is made memorable and life time experience for devotees.
While reviewing the sanitation measures, Chief Secretary directed ACD Ganderbal to ensure that sanitation teams are sensitized regularly, especially those deputed on track, so that the annual Amarnathji Yatra is transformed into a zero-waste pilgrimage by promoting cleanliness and waste management.
While taking the feedback regarding arrangements and status of ongoing yatra, Chief Secretary appreciated all the stake holders for their commendable work since the commencement of Yatra and asked them further improve the facilities so that devotees may not suffer due to paucity of any facility.

The yatra is going on smoothly since its commencement on July 01, with pilgrims enjoying the general facilities ensured by the government.
While 6,035 pilgrims left in a convoy of 194 vehicles for Pahalgam, another convoy of 112 vehicles carrying 3,206 pilgrims left for the Baltal base camp at 3.30 am.
With this, a total of 65,544 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for the valley since June 30. The 62-day annual pilgrimage to the 3,888-metre-high cave shrine commenced from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district on July 1.
The yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 31.
Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of CRPF Alok Avasthy has said that the force personnel have been deployed in large numbers to secure the ongoing Amarnath Yatra as the paramilitary force is equipped with the latest gadgets to augment the security grid in Kashmir.
“We are deployed for your service 24/7, 365 days (a year), whether there is yatra or not. There is an increase in the (number of) forces in view of the yatra, and more focus is given,” Deputy Inspector General of CRPF Alok Avasthy said.
Avasthy said the CRPF was using with modern gadgets and weapons to maintain a hawk-like vigil on its area of operation in south Kashmir.
“We are using the most modern technology which is available in the world. I will not reveal the details here, but, yes, we are using that,” he added.
Asked if there was a specific threat to the ongoing pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath, the officer said the CRPF was focussed on ensuring round the year peace.
“There is no specific threat, but, yatra or no yatra, our priority is the security of the people, and our jawans do not rest. They work 24/7. They are on duty 365 days. I assure you that we are at your service,” Avasthy said.
Asked about special drills along the highway, he said there is an increase in the traffic and the CRPF personnel are also engaged in traffic control to ensure smooth movement of the yatra convoy.
Avasthy lauded the local population’s support to the pilgrimage.
“We have full cooperation of the local people. There are no problems, local population provides water to yatris, bless them,” he added.