Amarnath Yatra cancelled due to coronavirus crisis
Minutes after announcing the cancellation of the Amarnath Yatra on Wednesday, the Jammu and Kashmir administration withdrew its order. Earlier in a press release, it was announced that the Amarnath Yatra was being canceled due to the coronavirus crisis. The meeting was presided over by Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu, Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB). He observed that there are 77 Red Zones identified in the Kashmir valley from where the Yatra routes pass. "Due to the pandemic, the establishment of Langars, Medical facility, Camp establishment, Material mobilization, Snow clearance, etc are not possible," the official release read.
He further emphasized that though the Government of India extended the nationwide lockdown till 3rd May, it is highly unpredictable to know which direction will it take beyond. The safety of the Yatris is our prime importance, he had said.
However, minutes later, the order was withdrawn.
The meeting was attended by D.C. Raina; Prof. Anita Billawaria; Dr. Sudershan Kumar; Dr. C.M. Seth and Prof. Vishwamurti Shastri. Bipul Pathak, Chief Executive Officer; Anup Kumar Soni, Additional Chief Executive Officer. Other senior officers of the Shrine Board also attended the meeting. Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaja and Dr Devi Prasad Shetty attended the meeting through video conferencing.
