Unsung and Unheard - the Army’s Role in Amarnath Yatra
The Amarnath Yatra, a National event, is an annual feature
in the months of June to August every year. Fervent and enthusiastic pilgrims
from all corners of the country come to pay obeisance in large numbers at the
Holy Shrine located at a height of approximately 14000 ft in the treacherous
mountains of Jammu and Kashmir. The Yatra every year commences once the route
becomes accessible and is fully secured by the Army and comes to an end on the
traditionally auspicious day of ‘Shravan Purnima’.
Due
to heavy snow fall the environment was apprehensive of the timely start of the
yatra last year in 2012. Heavy snow posed intense difficulties to the Army to
open the route in the early part of June. It was the Army who led the induction
on both the (Northern and Southern) routes as no other stake holder
was willing to move ahead. As always the Army showed “where there is a will,
there is a way” and the yatra commenced as planned. Troops of the Army endured
adverse terrain and weather conditions to put up an exhaustive security
umbrella for the yatra.
Apart
from providing impregnable security arrangements on the routes, the Army also
extended its role in providing various types of humanitarian assistance to the
yatris.
Relentless Domination: Anticipating the huge rush for the yatra, and the terrorist
threat both the routes were continuously dominated by picquets of
Army on the higher reaches. Rigorous area domination patrols were
sent in hostile terrain in unfavourable weather conditions to plug the passes
and routes which can be taken by terrorists to carryout subversive activities
on the Yatris. Effort and actions have paid.
Alertness: The Army has always been sensitive and alert to any intelligence
input. A case in point was the opening of Thuraya set (Satellite phone) on the
Southern Route by a foreign national who was tracked by relentless operation of
Army thus negating any danger to the yatra.
Assistance to Yatris: The Yatris face enormous
problems owing to the slushy track, high altitude and tiring trek during the
Pilgrimage. The Army has come to the aid of the Yatris always and
every time. Army conducted humanitarian operations for rescue of
Yatris till late midnights almost every day.
The
gambit of support extended to the Yatris by Army ranged from physical support
to moral awakening of keeping the environment clean by stressing that “No
Garbage in/near the Camp”.
Army
placed a total of four Avalanche Rescue Teams (ARTs) on both the routes to help
Civil Administration during natural disasters.
Apart
from providing help to old age people in movement, Army has provided
food, refreshment and shelter to 18445 yatris.
A
total of 8212 yatris have been
rescued during adverse weather conditions apart from recovering a large number
of ponies who fell into the gorges.
Number
of times children separated from their parents. The distressed parents
approached only the Army to find them. Needless to say Army responded with
speed & positive intent and united the families. Accolades about Army were
sung. The affected families will never forget the Army.
To motivate the yatris to keep moving on the treacherous trek, had
been a daily affair which was widely appreciated by the pilgrims.
On 25 June 2012, the day of commencement of Amarnath Yatra the
influx of Yatries from Chandanbari to Sheshnag was considerably high. Due to
adverse weather conditions and slushy terrain the movement of yatries was
delayed till late night. As a result 3500-4500 yatries were stranded between
Zajipal and Sheshnag on night 25-26 June 2012. As always Army was the only
responder to provide material, physical & psychological comfort and assistance
on the day and complete night of 25 & 26 June 2012. It was ensured that
each yatri was taken care of. The Commanding Officer, himself led the team
assisting yatris between Zazipal and Sheshnag. About 4500 yatris were assisted.
450 Yatris especially women and children who were extremely
fatigued due to inclement weather and tough climb and showed incapability to
move ahead were given shelter and comfort at Zazipal at a very short notice.
Medical Assistance: Owing to the
environmental hazards of the Yatra, a number of Medical Aid Posts were
established by the Army. These medical aid posts were open to
civilians 24 x 7.
These
medical detachments were well equipped with the best medical equipment to
handle life threatening emergencies and have been instrumental in stabilizing
cardiac events saving precious lives of the Yatris.
A
total of 38164 yatries were provided with medical assistance apart from 42
serious casualty evacuations.
Further, the Army took initiative to conduct a
total of six special medical and veterinary camps at various locations
providing free medications to all locals, vendors, gujjars and bakarwals and
ponies – which are regarded as the lifeline to this Yatra.
Disaster Management: The army showed
foresightedness in planning and catering for any unforeseen events. Army
catered for food, accommodation, bedding and cold clothing in case of any
disaster for more than 3200 Yatris along both the routes. Apart from that
certain rations and clothing were kept at centrally located helipads to move by
helicopters in case of emergency.
Honesty: Force Ethos of Army was
exhibited on a number of occasions where valuable items and money which were
lost by the yatris were found by the Army Personnel and were returned to the
owners. This display of honesty has melted the hearts of the yatris and
connected deeply with them.
Internal Security
Situations: A number of situations surfaced where in the locals had fights/quarrels/tiffs
with Police /CRPF/BSF personnel and situations went out of control, one such
situation happened at Sheshnag. All other forces withdrew from the scene
sensing the wrath of the locals, the Army took control of the
situation and brought normalcy at the location.
Running of Adhoc School at Domel: Not to miss out on
the education of children, an adhoc Army Goodwill School was run in Domel by
the Army for the children of Gujjars and Bakarwals who move to the area during
the period of Amarnath Yatra. About 70 children were enrolled in the school.
Classes were conducted for five days a week. Children were taught both Hindi
and English languages, Mathematical Tables, and various other topics related to
general awareness. They are also given information regarding the Nation. In
addition to meeting the intellectual needs of the children they are also being
provided with nutritious mid day meals. Various physical activities and sports
were also conducted during the school hours and the students were also taken
for regular medical checkup. Students were given free books and stationery. The
locals and yatris appreciated the efforts being undertaken by the Army for the
education of the nomadic children.
Recovery of Vehicles: Not to be left
behind on this issue, the Army deployed a number of recovery vehicles on both
the routes to recover vehicles meeting with the accidents thus saving number
of lives and not letting the routes to be blocked.
To
sum it up, certain statements showing gratitude to the Army,
straight from the core of the heart of the yatris, which highlight the
assistance by the Army:-
· “Army
Na Hoti To Hum Yeh Yatra Kabhi Bhi Na Kar Pate” said a young lady pilgrim.
· “Hum
Army Ke Bahut Shukragujar Hain Ki Unhone Hamari Is Yatra Ke Dauran Har Mod Par
Madad Ki Hai” said by a couple who were given shelter & food when they
were left stranded on yatra route due to bad weather.
· “Army
Ke Dwara Di Gayin Suvidhaon Ke Karan Hi Hum Yeh Yatra Karne Main Safal Rahe Hai”
as spoken by a group of people who visited holy cave from Maharashtra.
· “Army
Ne Na Kewal Yatra Main Humari Madad Ki Hai Par Sath Hi Sath Bahut Sari Jaane
Bachakar Yatriyon Ki Duaein Bhi Li Hain” said by an old lady whose
husband’s life was saved by Army doctors.
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