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No sign of land row in Baltal

Shujaat Bukhari

Pilgrimage on as usual, with support of local Muslims

“Facilities for pilgrims are intact and there is no problem as such”
They continue to use land in contention, and much more than that: officials

BALTAL (J&K): There is not inkling here of the fact that a piece of land in this vast area has triggered protests, violence and a Jammu-Srinagar divide. Here the Amarnath yatra is on with the active support of local Muslims. The Baltal base on Monday was an abode of peace

Support of Muslims

Hundreds of pilgrims are on their way to the gigantic stretch leading to the Armarnath cave, passing through the gushing waters of the Sindh. They are trekking the 16-km from Domail to the cave with the help of locals, who are Muslims. They are ponywallas or those who carry the ailing or the elderly on a stretch.

“There is no tension, nor have I seen any change in the attitude of locals here,” said Asha Kumari from Surat.

She said she had been a regular visitor to the shrine for past few years and the locals have always been like this. She is part of a group which flew to Srinagar, avoiding trouble-hit Jammu.

Serene atmosphere

There are many pilgrims, who are aware of the trouble over land but here the atmosphere is different — one of serenity.

“What is happening in Jammu or Srinagar is unfortunate. It is mere politics,” said Hardesh Singh a pilgrim. Facilities for pilgrims were intact and there was no problem as such, he said.

In fact, the pilgrims continue to use the land in question, and much more. Officials said Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) was using 4,100 kanals of land, including the controversial 800 kanals.

Though there has been a decline in the number of pilgrims in the past few weeks due to the trouble in Jammu, at least 1,000 make it to the cave everyday.

“The number reduces every year at this time as the Lingam starts to melt,” said a local priest. This year, despite trouble, nearly five lakh yatris visited the cave so far. This is the highest number in recent years.

“The estimated number is five lakh but we are still checking with other agencies” said a board official.

For the local Muslims, it is an opportunity to not only earn money but also help strengthen the communal bond. “I have been working here every year and it gives a satisfaction,” said Irshad Ahmad a ponywalla.

“I do earn for my family but it is also a way of getting closer to people of other faith. There is no tension in air and yatris are praying for return of peace in Jammu and Srinagar. I think the best solution is that both the Hindu and Muslim communities should open a direct dialogue to sort out the issue and not leave it to politicians,” said Abdur Rehman, an elder at Gund village.

Not entirely forest land

During the past few weeks, the turmoil in Srinagar and Jammu has claimed more than 10 lives.

Many theories have come up on 40 hectares of land, which was first temporarily allocated to SASB and the decision revoked later. But revenue officials agree that all 40 hectares was not forest land.

“It is actually a mix of forest land, proprietary land and State land,” said an official.

This year’s yatra, which began on June 18, concludes on August 16.

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