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SRINAGAR, INDIA, June 3, 2003: Security has been increased for the upcoming yatra, beginning July 12, to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath where over 100,000 pilgrims are expected this year. Officials do not want a repeat of last year’s shootout in which nine pilgrims were killed. Anantnag district authorities, who reviewed the arrangements for the yatra in a meeting chaired by District Development Commissioner Shailendra Kumar on Monday, decided to set up joint control rooms at various camp locations by police and civil administration to monitor the smooth conduct of the yatra. All basic amenities would be provided to the pilgrims at different locations along the route to Pahalgam, the base camp, and the cave shrine. Medicare, power and drinking water facilities would be improved and better telecommunication system installed for the yatris. Only pilgrims to the Ice Lingam would be allowed to the cave shrine this year for pilgrimage. Casual tourists would be kept out, police said.

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