Yatra gets rousing reception enroute; fake yatra permits detected at LFC
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday flagged off the first batch of Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims from Yatri Niwas, Bhagwati Nagar, here.
Amidst the chanting of Vedic Mantras, the first batch of 3488 pilgrims set off to the Holy Cave in a convoy of 164 light and heavy vehicles early in the morning.
First batch of Yatris reach Baltal Base Camp
SRINAGAR: The first batch of Shri Amarnathji Cave Shrine bound pilgrims reached the Baltal base camp in the Kashmir Valley to a tumultuous welcome by a cross section of people, elected representatives and senior officials.
They were warmly welcomed by DDC Vice-Chairperson Ganderbal Bilal Ahmad, DDC members, BDCs and other PRIs and Civil Society members at the Base Camp and presented with garlands and bouquets.
Secretary, Planning Development and Monitoring Department (Nodal Officer for SANJY via Baltal Axis), Dr. Raghav Langer and Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal were also present on the occasion.
The District Administration, Police, Shrine board and other stakeholders have made all arrangements for smooth conduct of the yatra this year.
After Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch in Jammu, the pilgrims were warmly received by the concerned Deputy Commissioners in Kulgam, Anantnag, Srinagar besides other elected representatives and general public.
To ensure a hassle-free 62-day yatra, coordinated efforts have been made by the SASB and the UT Administration with unflinching support of locals and PRI members of J&K.
A group of yatris who arrived at Lakhanpur, the gateway of J&K expressed great satisfaction over the arrangements made by the Kathua district admin. The pilgrims said that they are quite hopeful that they will have a comfortable and safe yatra this time too.
The Selfie Point’ created by administration at Lakhanpur (Kathua) as part of its face-lifting has become a major attraction for Yatris. Beautiful Wall Art showcasing Basohli Art and Dogra Folk culture is another attraction for devotees coming for yatra. Pilgrims were seen taking selfies and photographing there to save it as their cherished memories.
Suraj, a first time yatri from Jaipur, Rajasthan said the arrangements made by J&K administration are outstanding, be it langar facility, stay or other logistical support. The registration process is easy too for the yatris.
At Navyug tunnel Qazigund the first jatha of yatris got a rousing welcome by District Admin led by DC Kulgam and PRI members besides the locals.
On reaching Anantnag, the DDC Chairman and DC along with other district welcomed the yatries and showered them with flower petals.Also, a special welcome was offered by the members of Municipal Council Anantnag led by itsPresident.
The most beautiful visuals were seen at KP road Anantnag where people stood in queue with garlands on both sides of road to welcome Shri Amarnath ji pilgrims .Similarly, President MC Phalgham wholeheartedly welcomed the yatris wishing them a happy journey ahead.
While reaching Srinagar, DC Srinagar along with other officers received them and presented them flower bouquets. In the same way District Administration Bandipora led by DC alongwith PRIs, locals and other officers welcomed Yatris at Yatra Transit Camp Shadipora.
While sharing their feelings, Yatries from Panipat, Haryana were excited about their journey to the holy cave. They also expressed satisfaction over the security and other arrangements made by the UT Administration.
The Lt Governor wished all the devotees a safe and spiritually-fulfilling journey and prayed for peace, prosperity and happiness to all.
“The holy pilgrimage is the ultimate bliss. It is the path of humility, compassion and awareness. Shiv Sutra says, ????? ????:, the spiritual endeavour is Bhairava, the first step to experience the divine. It is the journey of inner transformation.
The UT Administration has made elaborate arrangements for the safe and hassle-free pilgrimage of the devotees of Shri Amarnath Ji,” the Lt Governor said.
Eminent spiritual leaders; members of PRIs and ULBs; heads of religious organizations, senior officers of civil administration, Police, security forces and SASB officials, prominent citizens, and devotees in large numbers were present on the occasion.
Security vehicle skids off, 3 injured
UDHAMPUR/JAMMU: A deputy superintendent of police (DSP) was among three persons injured when a vehicle, which was part of the Amarnath security convoy, skidded off the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Udhampur district on Friday morning, officials said.
An escort vehicle in the convoy, which was on its way from Jammu to Kashmir, skidded off the highway at Bali nallah area and overturned resulting in injuries to three persons, including the DSP, Senior Superintendent of Police, Udhampur, Dr Vinood Kumar told PTI. The injured have been hospitalised.
The first batch of pilgrims was accorded a rousing reception by District Administration Udhampur on their arrival at Kali Mata Mandir Tikri. They were warmly welcomed by Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur Sachin Kumar Vaishya as well as PRI members and prominent citizens. Besides, Senior Superintendent of Police, Dr Vinod Kumar, BDC Chairman, Tikri, Nisha Sharma, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Joginder Singh Jasrotia, Additional SP, Anwar -Ul-Haq and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
Information Department Udhampur presented a colourful cultural programme in which students of Government Higher Secondary School and Sainik Cooperative Public High School Tikri presented themed based cultural items which was applauded by the pilgrims as well as local people.
The authorities urged upon the pilgrims to utilize and avail all the facilities being extended by the government during the yatra. The pilgrims were also informed about the arrangements made for them at the base camp, besides other facilities being extended to them. The pilgrims appreciated the goodwill gesture of Civil and Police Administration Udhampur for according them rousing reception and cooperation.
District Administration Ramban along with PRIs warmly welcomed the Yatra at Chanderkote where the Deputy Commissioner, Mussarat Islam, Senior Superintendent of Police, Mohita Sharma, and a large number of PRIs including Sarpanches and Panches formally welcomed the devotees and interacted with them.
Chairperson BDC, Batote, Rajeshwar Kumar, DDC Councilors, Renuka Katoch, ADC, Harbans Sharma, various senior officers of civil administration, security forces, religious leaders and prominent citizens were also present on the occasion.
The pilgrims and PRIs also expressed their gratitude to Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, District Administration and Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board for providing foolproof security, boarding and lodging and other facilities to pilgrims coming from different parts of the country for holy Darshan of Shri Amarnath ji.
The Deputy Commissioner along with officers also interacted with the pilgrims to have first hand information regarding the facilities at the Langar. The DC said that the District Administration in coordination with Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, Social and Religious Langer Originations have made adequate arrangements with regard to their boarding and lodging besides other essential services for the Yatries.
After taking breakfast at Chanderkote and lunch at Lanber Banihal both the conveys left for Baltal and Pahalgam respectively under security cover to reach their holy destination. Earlier spiritual yatra langers were started with the Kanya Pooja by the SSP.
Meanwhile, in major breakthrough, approximately 300 fake registration permits of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra for the year 2023 has been detected by the District Administration Jammu along with district police.
Giving more information regarding the issues, the Deputy Commissioner Jammu Avny Lavasa said that FIR has already been launched in this matter and police investigation is also underway.
She also advised to the pilgrims to register only from the official website of Shri Amarnath Shrine Boards or the designated registration counters installed for the purpose.
The Deputy Commissioner further urged the pilgrims to verify their registration permits in order to avoid any kind of inconvenience during the holy Yatra.
Similarly, District Administration Kathua also came to the help of Amarnath Yatris who have been issued fake Yatra permits by some travel agency outside the UT, the status of which was unearthed at Lakhanpur Facilitation Centre.
On reaching Lakhanpur entry-point, the credentials of 65 Amarnath Yatris mismatched with the Shri Amarnath ji Shrine Portal during e-KYC verification and issuance of RFID cards.
Acting swiftly over the matter, the Kathua Administration swung into action and enquired about the fraudulent registration details and unmasked the deception to the yatris by some travel agency. The matter was handed over to the Police administration for strictly taking action against the fraudsters to thwart such incidents.
The Yatris were then facilitated by the administration to undertake hassle free and smooth yatra.
Kathua Administration has advised all prospective pilgrims to remain conscious and only register through authorised channels/ registration counters. It is essential to follow the guidelines and provide accurate and genuine information during the registration process. Any attempt to engage in fraudulent activities or circumvent the established protocols will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law, the officials said.
