Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Sept 14: As the pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine remained suspended for the 20th day amid confusion over resumption of the Yatra from Sunday, a group of pilgrims staged a protest at Katra base camp, here today.
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The agitating pilgrims also attempted to march towards the shrine. However, police foiled their repeated attempts to break the security cordon and undertake the yatra in violation of the Shrine Board directive.
Pertinent to mention that the pilgrimage was suspended on August 26, hours before a major landslide hit the route leading to the shrine that resulted in the death of 34 pilgrims and injuries to 20 others.
On September 12, the Shrine Board had announced to resume the yatra from September 14 but had to change the decision yesterday due to safety concerns owing to incessant rains all along the track and the sanctum sanctorum since Friday.
Some pilgrims including women gathered at Banganga Darshani gate, the starting point of the yatra, in Katra town on Sunday and tried to move ahead on the track to pay obeisance at the hilltop shrine.
However, the police force deployed in strength did not allow them to proceed ahead despite their repeated attempts for several hours during the day. The devotees were later persuaded to disperse after hard persuasion.
“I have reached Katra walking barefoot over the past two months and I want to offer my prayers at the shrine as soon as possible,” said Rajiv Lodhi, a resident of Madhya Pradesh, requesting the shrine board to restart the yatra whether it means sending the pilgrims in small batches.
Chennai native Vinod Kumar said he along with his family reached Katra on Friday and was happy about the resumption of the yatra to fulfil their desire to pay obeisance at the shrine.
“I came to know that the yatra was suspended again, leaving everyone present here disappointed,” he said, adding “we know they have taken the decision to suspend the yatra for our safety but we cannot extend our stay for more days.,”
Rekha from Mumbai was desperate and emotionally overwhelmed. “We do not know anything and we are forcibly going to complete our yatra, whatever the cost,” she said and asked “if the yatra was suspended, why have they opened the online registration”?
Raj Kumar Jha, another pilgrim from Bihar, said they have reached Katra on the call of the Mata and “we will leave only after performing darshan”.
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