GUWAHATI, July 14 - The first batch of Haj pilgrims today left the State for the holy city.
North East Haj Pilgrims Reception Committee working president Nekibur Zaman said a total of 256 pilgrims boarded the first flight at LGBI airport here this evening.
�A total of 3,482 pilgrims will go for the annual pilgrimage from the region this year. Altogether 551 pilgrims, mostly from the Barak Valley, will board a flight from Kolkata on July 22. A team of officials has been deputed in Kolkata to look after the facilities for the pilgrims there,� he said.
Beginning today, there will be one flight everyday bound for Saudi Arabia from Guwahati. �On July 17 and 22, there will be two flights, and on the remaining days, there will be one flight every day,� Zaman said.
Sixteen officers are accompanying the pilgrims from the government side. Two government-appointed doctors have already left for Saudi Arabia.
