BJP workers at MoS Jitendra Singh’s office in Jammu serve refreshments & food to SANJY-2026 Yatris (Ld)

Jammu/Srinagar, July 2 (IANS) As the first batch of Yatris of the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY) left Jammu for the twin base camps of Baltal and Nunwan in the Kashmir Valley on Thursday, Minister of State (Prime Minister’s Office) and Lok Sabha member, Jitendra Singh, said that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers distributed Sherbet, cold water and free meals to the Yatris while travelling to the Kashmir Valley.

Taking to his official social media platform X, Mos Singh said: “Today, on the auspicious occasion of the commencement of the sacred Amarnath Yatra, the workers of my Parliamentary office located in Jammu’s Gandhi Nagar distributed sherbet, cold water and set up free ‘Langar’ for the devotees participating in the Amarnath Yatra.”

“At the same time, as in every year, this year too, the workers of my Parliamentary office organised a langar service at Gandhi Nagar Hospital in Jammu, and received the blessings of the people and the devotees.”

The first batch of SANJY-2026, beginning on Friday, reached the two base camps of Baltal in Ganderbal district and Nunwan (Pahalgam) in Anantnag district on Thursday evening.

Of the 4,822 yatris who left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in two escorted convoys on Thursday, 2,510 yatris reached Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp while 2,312 yatris reached Baltal base camp.

At Baltal base camp, the yatris were accorded a warm and heartfelt welcome by Satish Sharma, Jammu and Kashmir’s Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs as well as Transport, Deputy Inspector General of Armed Police (Kashmir), Maqsood-ul-Zaman, Ganderbal Deputy Commissioner Jatin Kishore, and Ganderbal Senior Superintendent of Police Sudhanshu Dhama.

The officials welcomed the yatris, interacted with them, and conveyed their best wishes for a safe, peaceful, and spiritually enriching pilgrimage.

They assured the devotees that elaborate security, traffic management, and public facilitation arrangements have been put in place by Ganderbal Police in close coordination with the Civil Administration, CAPFs, Health Department, and other stakeholder agencies.

Dedicated helping hand teams, assistance booths, and round-the-clock deployment of police personnel have been established to provide guidance, emergency assistance, and ensure the smooth movement of pilgrims along the yatra route.

During the interaction, the officers urged the yatris to follow the advisories issued by the authorities and cooperate with security personnel.

They also added that the Jammu and Kashmir Police reaffirmed its commitment to ensure a safe, secure, and seamless pilgrimage experience for every devotee visiting the holy cave shrine, while extending best wishes for a successful and spiritually fulfilling ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.

At Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp in Anantnag district, yatris were warmly welcomed by the Anantnag (Yatra Officer) Deputy Commissioner Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, Senior Superintendent of Police Amod Ashok Nagpure, Camp Director Atul Kumar, senior officers from civil and police administration, and representatives of various socio-religious organisations.

Interacting with the devotees, the Deputy Commissioners and other officers wished them a smooth and blissful journey to the holy cave.

Earlier on Thursday, the pilgrims were accorded a grand reception at Walnut Factory Qazigund by Dooru Sub Divisional Magistrate Parvaiz Rahim along with senior officers and officials of police line departments.

The reception ceremonies were held vibrantly and colourfully, witnessing showering of flowers on the yatris.

They were also provided on-spot assistance on accommodation, langars and other essential services.

The Union Territory administration has made comprehensive arrangements, including accommodation, healthcare, transportation, sanitation, drinking water and langars (free community kitchens) for the yatris.

Many service providers have made multiple essential items like SIM cards, clothes, trekking utilities and shoes available at designated stations en route for the ease and convenience of the devotees.

The pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the overall arrangements and were highly enthusiastic as they prepare to commence their sacred pilgrimage to the holy cave early Friday morning.

–IANS

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