Tense Kashmir situation leaves Amarnath pilgrims stranded
By ANIThursday, August 5, 2010
SRINAGAR - Pilgrims heading towards the holy shrine of Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir are stranded in Srinagar due to the ongoing protests in the state.
Pilgrims in large numbers have been stuck at the Tourist Reception Center in Srinagar and are facing problems related to food, water and transport.
“We are stuck here since four days, and children are also crying. No facilities are available to us like food and water,” said Mahanta Devi, a stranded passenger.
The state road transport corporation is shut down, as nobody is ready to head towards Kashmir.
Stranded devotees are expecting help from the government, as there are no facilities available to them at present.
“We want the government to provide facilities for us, we are starving and their is no water available here, no transport available here, all the pilgrims are facing trouble because of no availability of anything,” said Krishan, a devotee.
The pilgrimage will conclude on August 25, which happens to be Raksha Bandhan, the siblings festival.
Pilgrims have been facing dozens of problems due to the protests and curfew imposed by government to control the violent protests.
The Kashmir Valley has seen a recent surge of violence that has led authorities to impose an on-and-off curfew in parts of the region. By Parvez Bhat (ANI)
