Live
- India is 'Mother of Democracy': PM Modi
- ‘One nation, one election’ will undermine India’s federal structure: Mehbooba Mufti
- ‘Bachhala Malli’ trailer heightens anticipation
- Karnataka quota row: Backward Class forum chief warns Lingayat seer over 'tinkering with reservations'
- Tight security arrangements at Group-II examination centers District SP
- Alia Bhatt captures attention in white
- Varun Dhawan talks about ‘Baby John’
- ‘Moonwalk’ trailer promises a quirky heist, love, and loyalty
- Combat leaf spot disease
- Ahsaas Channaopens up about her complex character in ‘Mismatched 3’
Stranded Telugu pilgrims safe in Jammu and Kashmir
After several hours of tension and apprehension, the stranded pilgrims of Amarnath were reported safe relieving the anxious relatives across the two states.
Amarnath Yatra
Nellore/ New Delhi/ Hyderabad/Vijayawada/Ongole/Mahbubnagar: After several hours of tension and apprehension, the stranded pilgrims of Amarnath were reported safe relieving the anxious relatives across the two states. As many as 254 tourists from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana--150 belonging to Prakasam district, 50 from Chilakaluripet and 47 from Sri Pottisriramulu Nellore district and seven from Mahbubnagar district --were stranded on Sunday near Baltal in Jammu and Kashmir during their Amaranth Yatra on account of clamping of curfew in Srinagar, officials said in Nellore. The tourists are spending stressful moments with no possibility of returning to their native places.
- Naidu instructs officials to ensure safe return of pilgrims
- Efforts on to ensure safe return: DGP
- Number of pilgrims from 2 states estimated at 5,000
Nellore Collector M Janaki said on Sunday evening that they had not contacted the stranded tourists at Baltal base camp and that The Hans India provided contact details of the people, who confirmed the district administration had asked about the problems of the tourists. CM Chandrababu Naidu, who is visiting Russia and Kazakhstan, while reacting to the plight of the Telugus, instructed the officials to ensure the safe return of the pilgrims.
In New Delhi, Andhra Pradesh Bhavan Resident Commissioner Srikanth stated that the tourists were safe, after having a telephonic conversation with the Srinagar Superintendent of Police. Food and stay facilities have been arranged for the tourists. He said 128 Telugu tourists were staying in Shani Resorts. The Resident Commissioner assured to bring back the tourists safely by making alternative arrangements.
In Vijayawada, DGP J V Ramudu said the tourists were safe, after contacting his J&K counterpart. He stated that efforts were being made in coordination with the local government to ensure the safe return of the stranded Telugu people. The DGP revealed that some tourists had informed him that they were stuck in the Lalchowk area of Srinagar. He estimated the number of Amarnath yatris from the two states to be between 5,000 and 6,000.
Ongole reporter adds: About 150 pilgrims from Chimakurti, Singarayakonda, Kandukur, Chirala and Ongole in Prakasam district, 50 from Rajupalem, Buchireddypalem besides Nellore and 30 from Guntur district had left for Amarnath Yatra during the last week of June in batches and reached New Delhi. Local tour operators arranged transportation for the yatra and provided guides.
The pilgrims visited the shrine on July 7 and 8 and were on their way back to Delhi when security forces in Jammu opened fire on protestors resulting in the death of 11. Following widespread violence curfew has been clamped in Srinagar. A Mahbubnagar report says that seven residents of Devarkadra are among the stranded tourists.
They are couples Kalva Eshwar-Sarika, Suresh-Padma, Mahesh-Uma and Anjaneyulu Goud. Their trip to Amaranth was conducted by Srinivasa Travels of Kurnool. The tourists had darshan of the Siva lingam on July 7, when they were stopped by the Army officials following violence in Srinagar.
By Team Hans
