Over 700 Rajasthan Pilgrims Stranded in Kashmir; 600 from Alwar Alone

According to reports, over 700 pilgrims from Rajasthan are stuck in various parts of Kashmir. The reason behind why Rajasthan pilgrims who were on the famous Amarnath pilgrimage are stranded there is - curfew. There is curfew in various districts of Kashmir such as Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam, etc.

Reason Behind the Protests in Kashmir

The Kashmir valley is facing violent protests over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, 22, who was the architect of the social-media driven psychological warfare in Kashmir. He was killed along with two other militants in an encounter in Anantnag district of Kashmir.

Death of Rajasthan Pilgrim Surendra Dutt Vyas

And due to these protests, hundreds of pilgrims who had gone to Amarnath are currently stranded in adverse situations in various districts of Kashmir. One such Rajasthan pilgrim, Surendra Dutt Vyas, 65, died of cardiac arrest while returning from Amarnath. He was a resident of Keshav Nagar in Alwar and had retired as a bank manager from Central Cooperative Bank. His family in Alwar, Rajasthan is still waiting for his body. His family told that collector Muktanand Agarwal has spoken to the army and is trying to facilitate the transportation of the body of Mr. Vyas. Vyas had gone to Amarnath with 7 of his friends on July 5 via Pooja Express. Due to lack of oxygen between Chandwadi and Sheshnag, he complained of breathing problem. And he later surrendered to death at a hospital in Pahalgam in Kashmir.

In the words of Rahul Vyas, the son of Surendra Vyas

Rahul Vyas, the son of the deceased said, “We got a phone call on July 8 in which an army man said that my father died at a hospital. I still remember that on July 7, my mother Sunita had spoken to him and he had told her that his journey was good and that he had completed the Amarnath Yatra. Army officials are trying to bring his body to Delhi. After getting intimation, we will visit Delhi and bring the body.”

600 Pilgrims from Alwar Alone

Not just one Surendra Vyas, but we have over 700 people from Rajasthan, who had gone for the Amarnath Yatra and have not yet returned. They are stranded in various parts of Kashmir due to the violent protests and curfew. But sources say that they are reportedly safe. Out of all Rajasthan pilgrims stuck there, 600 pilgrims are from Alwar alone and many of them have completed their pilgrimage.