5 Years of Abrogation of Article 370: Amarnath Yatra Suspended Temporarily Over Security Concerns

Jammu: Amarnath Yatra has been suspended for the day in view of security concerns as the nations marks the fifth anniversary of abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution on Monday, August 5. A high alert has also been sounded across the union territory. The holy pilgrimage has been halted temporarily as a precautionary measure. 

This comes amid a surge in terror activities in the region. There will be no yatra from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp and vice-versa which means the pilgrims who have paid their obeisance to the holy cave yesterday will not be allowed to move down towards Jammu today.

Every checkpoint in the union territory has been strengthened by the police and paramilitary forces. 

Last year also, the pilgrims were not allowed to leave from Jammu due to security threat. 

Meanwhile, security has been heightened in Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion as police are conducting checks on vehicles passing from the areas. Heavy police force has been deployed on the ground. Currently, nearly 12 yatras are ongoing in J&K. The pilgrimage will resume tomorrow morning.

The Central government had on August 5, 2019 revoked the Article 370 of the Constitution which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir within the Indian Union.

Amarnath Yatra to Conclude on August 19

The 52-day-long annual pilgrimage, that began on June 29, will conclude on August 19. The online registrations for the yatra commenced on April 15 on Shri Amarnath Shrine Board's (SASB) website and portal. According to reports, more than 3.50 lakh devotees registered for the yatra this year. The administration has set up comprehensive arrangements, including three-tier security, area dominations, elaborate route deployment and checkpoints, to ensure a smooth pilgrimage.

As many as 125 community kitchens (langars) staffed by over 6,000 volunteers were set up to serve the pilgrims along the two routes to the cave shrine. The annual Amarnath Yatra commences on twin tracks – one is the traditional 48-km-long Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the second route is 14-km-long shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal district.

The holy pilgrimage witnesses lakhs of pilgrims every year who visit the site during the 'Shravani Mela in July-August (Shravan month in Hindu calendar).