Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Thursday that in view of the Pahalgam terror attack, the registration of pilgrims for the Amarnath Yatra this year has fallen by more than 10 percent. Sinha told reporters at the Raj Bhavan that the registration of pilgrims was going on well before the April 22 incident, but after that the registration decreased. Registration has declined by 10.19 percent as compared to last year.
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The Lieutenant Governor said that about 2.36 lakh pilgrims had registered for the yatra before the attack in Basaron in Pahalgam region. 26 people were killed in the attack, most of which were tourists. He said, “The steps taken by the Jammu and Kashmir administration and security forces are returning to confidence in pilgrims, resulting in registration again.” Sinha said that Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has started the process of re -verification of pilgrims who registered for the yatra before 22 April.
He said that so far 85000 pilgrims have confirmed their registration. We hope that registration will accelerate in the coming days. Asked whether the terrorist attack has affected the Amarnath Yatra this year, Sinha said that it has affected the entire Jammu and Kashmir, especially the valley. Sinha also said that the convoy will start from Lakhanpur and the journey will start from Bhagwati Nagar. We are arranging for all those traveling with the convoy to ensure safety. I also request people coming to travel by private vehicle to travel with the convoy.
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He said that this time heli services have been discontinued … Shrine boards and administration together insure the passengers, pony and the pits. My request is that the message in the country should go that no one can compete with the hospitality of the people of Kashmir. A total of 180 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have been deployed this time to protect the annual Amarnath Yatra, which are 30 more than the previous years.