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July 15 in History
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15 July 2001
Highlights: Second Phase of Panchayat Elections ends
15 July 2002
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15 July 2004
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15 July 2005
Highlights: World Bank to fund Urban Reforms Project
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Highlights: APSRTC celebrates Platinum Jubilee celebrations
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Statement of Home Minister Shri Shivraj Patil in Lok Sabha on Shri Amarnath Yatra
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New Delhi: July 15, 2004
Following is the statement made by Home Minister, Shri Shivraj Patil in the Lok
Sabha today regarding Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2004 :
Annual Shri Amarnath Yatra spread over a period of one month concludes every year with holy mace of Lord Shiva reaching the Holy Cave on Raksha Bandhan day. Accordingly, Amarnath Yatra 2004 was scheduled to begin on August 1 and conclude on Raksha Bandhan day on August 30.
The Yatra is undertaken on two routes, viz. the traditional route via Pahalgam and a shorter route via Baltal. From Pahalgam side pilgrims trek 30 Kms to reach the Holy cave and the journey is completed in 2-3 days. From Baltal side the distance upto the Holy Cave is 15 Kms and often pilgrims complete two-way journey on the same day.
The security arrangements for the Yatra start right from Jammu from where pilgrims are sent in convoys with escorts. ROPs are in position from Jammu to Pahalgam and Jammu to Baltal. The Base Camps at Pahalgam and Baltal are to be provided adequate security protection. The entire area between Pahalgam to Holy Cave and Baltal to Holy Cave is put under a three-tier security cover. The outer cordon looks after area dominance, the middle cordon takes care of the route and approaches to the route and the inner cordon secures various camps along with the route to the Holy Cave. This involves a very elaborate security grid beginning 7-10 days in advance from the first day of the Yatra and extending to about 5 days after the last day of Darshan when the pilgrims reach back to Jammu.
The routes to Shri Amarnathji Caves pass through difficult terrain and are subject to extreme weather conditions. In 1996, snowfall and avalanches caused large-scale damage to life and property following which Government set up Nitish Sengupta Commission to enquire into the incidents. The Nitish Sengupta Commission recommended restricting the Yatris to 3500 per day including 700 Yatris via Baltal route for 30 days’ Yatra.
During the Amarnath Yatra 2000, 2001 and 2002 a number of violent incidents have taken place. Following the terrorist incidents at Pahalgam on August 1, 2000 when 21 Yatris, 8 Civilians and 2 Police personnel were killed, a Committee headed by Lt. General J.R. Mukherjee, General Officer Commanding, 15 Corps enquired into the incident and recommended that the duration of Yatra in the present security environment and the commitment of security forces in the State should be restricted to one month. The Committee was of the opinion that when normalcy returns the duration can be increased. The Committee also recommended that the number of Yatris should be strictly controlled and limited to the capacity of administrative and security infrastructure. While Dr. Nitish Sengupta Commission recommended 2800 Yatris for southern Pahalgam route and 700 for nothern Baltal route, the present Committee recommended 3000 and 2000 respectively, provided adequate infrastructure are created, i.e. the track is properly widened and strengthened. Till such time it would be necessary to limit the number of Yatris as per the recommendation of Dr. Sengupta Committee report.
Ever since the terrorism started in the State, additional resources had to be pumped into making security and administrative arrangements for the Yatra. Security for the Yatra is strengthened by withdrawing man-power from the counter insurgency grid as also deployment of large number of officers of J&K Police en-route and at each camp. The District Administration of Anantnag and Srinagar in particular get totally involved in making arrangements for the Yatra.
The Terrorist violence, which had shown a sharp increase after the Lok Sabha elections has not shown any let up even after the elections and therefore there is greater need for anti-terrorist operations prior to the commencement of the Yatra.
A suggestion was made by Shri Amarnathji Shirne Board and some social and political organisation to extend the period of Yatra to two months. But in the light of the security scenario explained as above and the commitment of Security Forces the State Government did not find it feasible to extend the period of Yatra. It was therefore decided to commence the Yatra as per past practice i.e. one month prior to the Raksha Bandhan. However, considering the demand from the above mentioned organisations the State Government decided to extend the Yatra period by 10 days beginning July 20. However, following a meeting between H.E. the Governor and Hon’ble CM it has been decided that the Yatra will start on July 15 with the first group of Yatris from Baltal route reaching the Holy Cave on July 16 and from the Pahalgam side on July 17.
Registration for the Yatra has started at various branches of Jammu and Kashmir Bank throughout the country. Till July 6, over 61,000 Yatris had registered themselves for undertaking the pilgrimage.
Press Release: PIB
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