Jammu & Kashmir
Annual Amarnnath Yatra cancelled ‘in view of surge in COVID cases’
Sources say the decision has been taken ‘to safeguard lives of hundreds of devotees’
Srinagar: Shri Amarnnath shrine board of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday cancelled the annual Amarnnath Yatra 2020 citing surge in Covid-19 cases.
Sources said the decision was taken during a meeting of the Shrine Board in which Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu was present.
Sources added that the decision was taken in view of the massive spike in Covid-19 cases and as a “precautionary measure to safeguard lives of hundreds of devotees”.
Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir administration had announced that upcoming annual Amarnath Yatra would be undertaken in a “restricted manner” and only 500 pilgrims would be allowed per day by road from Jammu to the cave shrine in South Kashmir.
The government had said that standard operating procedures (SOPs) for testing of persons entering Kashmir would also be applicable to the intending Amarnath pilgrims.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir administration had already made all necessary arrangements for the yatra. Other government agencies have also made all preparations to welcome the pilgrims.
Last year, the Amarnath Yatra was curtailed ahead of BJP led government’s move of abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
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