The Hindu : National : Yatra to end this week

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Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008
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National

Yatra to end this week

Luv Puri

Jammu: As attempts are on to reach a compromise formula on the Amarnath land row, the two-month-long Amarnath yatra is all set to end for this year.

As per tradition, the Rakshabandan festival that falls on August 16 is the day when the holy mace leaves for the shrine from the Pahalgam route. This signifies the last batch of the yatra. Otherwise, the last batch of pilgrims from here would leave on August 14, according to a police officer.

There are two routes for the pilgrimage — the Anantnag route and the Baltal route. The first route takes three days to cover, while the second one is quicker but more arduous. The present controversy about the land row is about the Baltal route.

The yatra started on June 18 under a thick CRPF security blanket. Its duration was increased to two months in the year 2004 and the decision to this effect was taken by the former Governor, S.K. Sinha.

The situation here was peaceful on Monday. A general strike called till August 14 by the Sangharsh Samiti continued on Monday. But there were no major protests. Private vehicles plied as usual, but there was no public transport service. Shops were open only till 10 a.m. to allow people make their daily purchases. Central government institutions such as post offices remained closed.

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