Governor appeals for calm after violence near Amarnath base camp

Srinagar: Expressing concern over the clashes between pony owners and those running community kitchens at Baltal, Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra today appealed for peace and harmony saying it is essential for the satisfactory progress of the pilgrimage. “On being informed about a disharmonious incident between two yatra service providers at the Baltal Yatra Camp, the governor discussed the matter with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, under whose direction the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Shailendra Kumar and Inspector General of Police Abdul Gani Mir, rushed to Baltal,” an official spokesman said.

He said Vohra, who is also chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), also asked the chief executive officer of the Board Rakesh Kumar Gupta to immediately proceed to the Camp and see that “harmony is fully restored” with the help of district administration.

“The Governor also spoke to the President of SABLO, the apex Langar Organization, Vijay Thakur and urged him to ensure restoration of harmony, essential for the satisfactory progress of Yatra,” the spokesman said.

The incident took place at Dumail near Baltal area which comes under Sonamarg, a picturesque tourist spot. A small altercation broke out between ’langarwallahs’, who run community kitchens for the pilgrims, and local pony owners, who take the yatris through rough terrain to the holy cave shrine.

However, the quarrel soon took a violent turn as the local unit of CRPF tried to intervene.

While the police spokesman maintained that only 12 people were wounded, sources said as many as 25 people were injured which included a few with burn injuries.

Officials added that no pilgrim was injured in the incident.

PTI