Amarnath pilgrims complaining of being overcharged: Niyas

JAMMU: Amarnath pilgrims have complained of being overcharged by transporters at some points in the route and authorities should look into these allegations, an organisation supporting the cause of Yatris said today.


"There have been complaints that at some places on the yatra route, transporters are overcharging devotees. Authorities should look into these allegations at the earliest," Baba Amarnath and Baba Buda Amarnath Yatri Niyas president Surinder Mohan Aggarwal told reporters here.

On reports in a section of media that the ice lingam in Amarnath cave shrine has already started to melt, Aggarwal said, "The reality is entirely different".

The Niyas president said the state government should have provided subsidised ration to langar organisers.

"The rates of almost all the essential ration items have increased, creating difficulties for langar organisers. The state government should have come forward in support of free langar providers by bearing the extra cost of essential items," he said.

Aggarwal criticised the lathi charge on the yatris during the early days of the pilgrimage, but appealed devotees to visit the holy cave shrine as per their registration date.

He appreciated the role of security agencies in the yatra, saying, "Security agencies have done a commendable job for the arrangements on the entire yatra route, right from Lakhanpur up to the holy cave shrine."

He, however, cautioned them not be complacent in view of the recent attack on the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya.

The Niyas president said this year's yatra of Baba Buda Amarnath in Poonch district would commence from August 1 and Niyas would make necessary arrangements for devotees.