Amarnath Yatra 2010

Pilgrims leaving for Kashmir during night sans security

Ravi Krishnan Khajuria

Tribune News Service
Jammu, July 11

Even as the Kashmir valley continues to simmer over the Shopian and Baramulla incidents followed by the rape and murder of another girl, allegedly by an Army soldier in Tregam in Kupwara , Amarnath pilgrims have been leaving the winter capital for the valley during night without any security cover.
“It has come to our notice that several pilgrims, local and outsiders, have been leaving Jammu in the night for their journey to the cave shrine without security cover,” said a senior police officer.
Another police officer at the Yatri Niwas base camp here said ever since the annual pilgrimage began on July 15, only 40,000 pilgrims had left for the cave shrine from the Yatri Niwas base camp under security cover but the total arrival at Baltal and Pahalgam has touched the 2.50 lakh mark. It clearly shows that a majority of the pilgrims are now leaving on their own for the cave shrine, he added.
Sources in the counter-intelligence wing of the police felt that there was no risk whatsoever to the pilgrims, particularly those leaving on their own. “Track records show that militants often target Amarnath pilgrims, who visit the valley under security cover because by doing so they succeed in inviting attention of the world media,” they said.
Talking to this correspondent at Nagrota last evening, some pilgrims, who were on their way to the valley, were bothered little about security. “We are here for the fourth time. Leaving for the valley without going to Jammu base camp saves our time,” said Sudhir Gupte, one of the pilgrims from Pune.
Another pilgrim Akhilesh Kamle said:“ There is no fear whatsoever in our minds but only a burning desire to pay obeisance at the cave shrine”
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 1735 pilgrims left the Yatri Niwas base camp for the valley yesterday, said SP Benam Tosh, security in charge of the base camp.

(http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090712/j&k.htm#10)