Shimla, July 31, 2013: Taking no chances about safety, the Himachal Pradesh government has decided, for the first time, to make the registration of pilgrims mandatory for the Manimaheshyatra(pilgrimage) to begin from August 28 inChamba district. Pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) will have to prove their identity before heading to pay obeisance at the holy lake situated at 13,500 feet above sea level.

HP government has decided to keep a proper record of devotees visiting Manimahesh lake for the first time. A software is also being developed that would have data of pilgrims entering and exiting the yatra route.

Officials said registration has been made compulsory as during recent natural calamity in Uttarakhand there was no exact count of pilgrims heading for Kedarnath, Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib, which later created problems while carrying out relief and rescue operations as no one was aware about the exact number of stranded pilgrims.

Since Chamba shares around 216 km boundary with J&K, security of pilgrims during the yatra has always remained a challenge for the state police department. Not taking any chances this time, devotees coming from Doda, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah districts of J&K would be stopped at Kihar police station of Chamba, located close to the state border. Only those devotees, who prove their identity, would be allowed to move further. Pilgrims from J&K would have to furnish identity proofs like Aadhar Card or voter ID card.

As devotees reach Manimahesh lake after trekking a distance of 14 km on a mule trek, their safety is a challenge for the administration as the area is located close to J&K border.

On August 3, 1998 terrorists had killed 35 people in two separate incidents in Kalaban and Satrundi areas under Tissa police station of Chamba. Since then security agencies remain on their toes to ensure the safety of pilgrims during annual the Manimahesh pilgrimage.

Chamba superintendent of police Jagat Ram said close proximity to J&K border necessitates the need for proper identification of pilgrims coming from Doda, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah.

Source: The Times of India, July 31, 2013