Mangalore, July 23: A terror incident was experienced by the pilgrims from Mangalore who had gone on an Amarnath Yatra recently. The pilgrims were terrorised by ultras on July 18, Friday, after which they discontinued their yatra and are now returning to Mangalore.
Prashanth of Kinnigoli has been a regular pilgrim to Amarnath Yatra along with his friends since the past 19 years. The team had set out on the Yatra this year as well, the members included Vishwanath, Umesh, Ranjan of Mangalore, Ganesh of Karkala, Sudarshan of Padubidri and Lakshmisha of Bantakal and of course Prashant of Kinnigoli .
The team which had set its base camp at Battal, was taking a horse ride as it is the custom to proceed further. When they got information about the disturbance and stoning, they returned to their base camp where there was a Langar facility of offering free tee and snacks to the pilgrims.
When they went to have tea, they were stoned and then the Langar owner asked them to remain in the room. The group saw youngsters with machetes, stones and rods in their hands. The miscreants destroyed the Langar and even barged into the room where Prashanth and his group was staying and asked them not to be afraid. They then enquired about the Langar owner, when Prashanth said they were unaware, the ultras left the place.
Prashanth and his team later left towards their tent as per the instructions of CRPF men. As many as 25 to 30 cylinders exploded within seconds, almost all the thousand tents excluding two tents in which they were staying were reduced to ashes.
“Our laptop and all goods were taken away by the ultras. What was left with us were just two mobile phones,” says Prashanth.
The team has lodged a complaint at Jammu and is now returning home town after lodging a complaint at Jammu.
