Valley tense, but pilgrims progress for the Amarnath Yatra

Amid tension and curfew in parts of the Valley, the Amarnath Yatra formally commenced on Thursday, with the first batch of pilgrims starting a trek to the holy cave shrine, situated at an altitude of 3,888 metres, from the base camps at Baltal and Pahalgam.

The pratham pooja at the sanctum sanctorum was performed by governor NN Vohra, who is also chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, marking the beginning of the two-month-long pilgrimage in the Himalayas.

“The governor interacted with pilgrims at the Nunwan and Baltal base camps. The pilgrims appreciated the facilities and thanked the security forces for facilitating the pilgrimage,” a government spokesman said.

“There is nothing alarming here. Local people are very cooperative and there is no problem,” Kishanji, a pilgrim, said.

Both separatists and mainstream politicians welcomed and assured full support to the pilgrims.

“The yatris have been our guests historically and we take pride in extending hospitality to them. Political forces need to understand the importance of ensuring a smooth yatra,” Sajjad Lone, chairman of People’s Conference, said.

Meanwhile, an uneasy calm prevailed in the Valley as authorities foiled a women’s march to Pathar Masjid called by the Hurriyat faction led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Stray incidents of stone-pelting were reported even as curfew continued in most parts.