Discusses Amarnath Yatra management with political parties

JJ CORRESPONDENT

Srinagar, June 29: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday held a meeting with senior political leaders of J&K and discussed arrangements and management of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, at Raj Bhavan here, a government spokesman said.
However, the efforts of Sinha to take all political groups on board for the Amarnath Yatra received a setback as Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti stayed away from the meeting.
In a surprise move, Sinha earlier in the day invited heads of various political parties of J&K for high tea on Wednesday evening.
Those who attended the meeting included National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, BJP J&K president Ravinder Raina, Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari, CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, Congress J&K president GA Mir, PDF president Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen and GM Shaheen.
It is learnt that People’s Conference Chairman Sajad Lone could not attend the meeting as he was not in town.
The Lt Governor observed that pilgrimage strengthens people’s faith in the goodness of mankind and its successful conduct is the responsibility of every citizen of J&K UT, the spokesman said.
“Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is a reflection of our composite culture and people belonging to all the faiths are contributing to make it successful,” the Lt Governor said.
All the senior leaders in the meeting speaking in one voice observed that Yatra is like a big festival, a celebration of “Kashmiriyat” for common man of J&K, each and every citizen of UT will ensure warm hospitality and comfort for the pilgrims.
The senior leaders appealed to the people for their continuous support and assistance in the conduct of the Yatra, which is pride of Jammu Kashmir and reflection of unity in diversity.
The senior leaders also observed that Yatra is a vital part of J&K’s economy and livelihood source for a large number of local people.
The Lt Governor also apprised the meeting about the arrangements put in place for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2022, besides special places identified at all Yatra Camps for selling local products, including famous art and handicrafts of Jammu Kashmir.
All the senior leaders of prominent political parties of J&K put forth their views and suggestions for the smooth and successful conduct of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.
The Lt Governor said a similar meeting would be held after 10 days of Yatra.
J&K Congress President Mir said the Lt Governor gave a detailed presentation about the Yatra arrangements.
“The only thing discussed in the meeting was about the Yatra. Many leaders told Lt Governor that Yatris have always been welcomed by people in Kashmir and locals should not face any inconvenience during the Yatra days,” Mir told UNI.
Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari observed that the annual Amarnath Yatra should not be hyped in a manner that it is projected as an unusual affair in and outside Jammu and Kashmir.
Bukhari urged the government not to propagate this annual religious affair of J&K as an unusual activity that is like taking place for the first time in its history.
“Nobody is averse to making foolproof security and other administrative arrangements for a hassle free journey of the pilgrims. But this Yatra should not be tackled in a way that has the potential to pitch one community against another,” he remarked.
Bukhari also put a word of caution for belittling the sanctity of this religious affair by analyzing it in terms of an economic activity.
The chief spokesperson of the PDP Suhail Bukhari said it was strange that the office of the Lt Governor was inviting leaders for a high tea meeting at such a sensitive time. Earlier, PDP’s Bukhari had termed the meeting a mockery.
“For a meeting in the evening that is supposed to be a serious affair, the invitation is sent in the morning. What a mockery! By the way what happened to the outcome of the all parties meeting chaired by @PMOIndia in which @OfficeOfLGJandK and @HMOIndia was also present?” he tweeted.
This was the first major meeting of the Lt Governor with J&K political parties. There has been a communication breakdown between the UT government and the major political parties in J&K especially after J&K’s special status was scrapped in 2019. The J&K Government and Union government has often accused regional parties as obstacles to peace and development.
Meanwhile, PDP president Mufti on Wednesday said that despite stringent security measures, it is the people of Kashmir who provide the “real sense” of security to the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims.
“This year’s Yatra has resumed after 2 years & I am sure that Kashmiris will welcome them wholeheartedly as always. Despite stringent security measures, including shutting down of shops en route the Yatra, its we Kashmiris who provide a real sense of security to the yatris,” she tweeted. UNI