BJP MLAs demand safe return of Rajasthan pilgrims from Amarnath

 BJP MLAs on Saturday demanded that the Rajasthan government ensure the safe return of pilgrims from the state who were stranded in Kashmir following clashes at Amarnath Yatra base camp near Baltal.

BJP MLA Gyandeo Ahuja sought attention of the Speaker and said that nearly 100 people who had gone to the pilgrimage to Amarnath from Ajmer were trapped and 30-35 of them were also injured. He also informed that he has asked Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje to make the same kind of efforts which were made to bring back Indians from Iraq. Two other MLAs also raised the similar matter after which Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister G C Kataria, assured that he will collect all the information related to the matter and share it with the House before its adjournment.

At least 37 persons, including few security force personnel, were injured in the clashes that broke out yesterday morning after a dispute between pony owners and those running community kitchens followed by the alleged high-handedness by CRPF personnel. The Amarnath yatra, which was suspended on Friday resumed on Saturday after normalcy returned to the Baltal base camp.