Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday discussed the upcoming Amarnath Yatra and security of J&K with Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla in New Delhi.
Amarnath yatra was scheduled to begin on June 28 and last till August 22 but the government is yet to decide whether to carry it as per schedule.
Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) had earlier announced that the annual pilgrimage will be held for 56 days this year starting June 28 and conclude on August 22.
However, as Covid positive cases witnessed surge on April 22, the SASB had ordered suspension of registration for the yatra which had started on April 1st.
Sources said that the Lieutenant Governor and the Union Home Secretary held detailed discussions whether to hold Amarnath yatra in view of decrease in Covid cases.
Sources informed that no decision was taken about it and more meetings could take place between the Lieutenant Governor and central government.
The SASB had cancelled the yatra last year also due to a pandemic. In 2019 also, the yatra was cut short by about 15 days ahead of central government’s decision to abrogate special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of erstwhile state into two Union Territories.
Earlier, Army chief Gen MM Naravane during his Kashmir visit this week said that the Army was fully prepared to provide security for the pilgrimage.
Sources said that Security of J&K situation, particularly killings of political leaders, was also discussed.
BJP leader and Tral Municipal Committee Chairman Rakesh Pandita was killed by the militants in Tral last week.
Sources said security forces may be asked to step up anti-militancy operations which according to DGP Dilbagh Singh got hampered due to pandemic.
The Lieutenant Governor is expected to meet more leaders and top officials in New Delhi before returning to Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. KNS

KR Desk