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| COVID-19: Uncertainty over yatra continues, religious place shut in Kashmir | | |
EArly Times Report
Srinagar, Jun 7: Uncertainty continued over annual pilgrimage to Holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, which was to start from June 28 while all shrines, major mosques and other religious places remained closed due to second wave of COVID-19.
On Sunday 1440 new positive cases of novel Corona virus (COVID-19) were reported, officials said adding 338 were from Jammu division and 1102 from Kashmir division. Also 23 COVID-19 deaths have been reported, eight from Jammu Division and 15 from Kashmir Division, they said.
Last year the yatra was suspended for similar reasons due to first wave lock down across the country, including Jammu and Kashmir. However, in 2019 the annual pilgrimage was to cut short and yatris were asked to leave the valley as strict curfew restrictions were imposed when centre abrogated Article 370 and 35 A besides divided the state into two Union Territories (UTs) on August 5, 2019. Majority leaders of almost all mainstream political parties, barring BJP, including three former Chief Ministers Dr Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti were detained and communication network snapped in the J&K.
There is still no firm word from the centre about this years yatra to Amarnath cave shrine, situated at 14000 feet, which is accessible from shortest Baltal route and traditional Pahalgam route, official sources said. However, they said, the meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha at New Delhi on Sunday among security and other things also discussed the Amarnath yatra.
It was not immediately clear if any decision was taken about the yatra as COVID positive cases and deaths due to virus continued in the Jammu and Kashmir, where authorities have now started easing corona curfew in a phased manner to avoid further surge in positive cases.
Former CM and president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti said the decision to allow the yatra will be taken by the centre. They (Centre) never consulted or took into confidence people of the Jammu and Kashmir on any issue but announce the decision unilaterally, she alleged. If they want they can allow yatra without caring for the people, she said adding how they (centre) allowed Maha Kumbh Shahi Snan without caring the advice by experts with the results lakhs were infected and thousands died due to virus. Similarly decision on the yatra will be taken by the centre people of J&K have no role, she said.
The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), had announced that annual yatra from both routes will commence from June 28 and will culminate on August 22, the Rakshabandan Day (Shravan Purnima). The pilgrims were directed to get registered themselves for the yatra at 446 branches of different banks, including Jammu and Kashmir Bank (JKB) across the country from April, 2021.
However, the SASB, responsible for organizing the annual yatra in Kashmir, temporarily suspend the registration of pilgrims for the pilgrimage on April 22.
The board said that in view of evolving COVID situation in the country and the need to take all necessary precautionary measures, registration for Yatra is temporarily suspended. The situation is being constantly monitored and registration would be reopened once the situation improves, it said.
However, till date the registration of yatris remained suspended, sources said adding a final decision from the centre is expected very soon.
Meanwhile, all shrines and other worship places, including mosques, Jamia Masjids and Gurdwaras and churches and temples remained closed due to COVID restrictions in the valley.
The J&K Wakf board announced closure of all 133 shrines and other worship places managed by it due to second wave of COVID-19 shortly before the commencement of holy fasting month of Ramadhan from April 14. Therefore no prayers could be offered in the shrine of Asaar-e-Sharief Hazratbal, which houses the Holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad, Hazrat Mehboob-ul-Aalam, Hazrat Sheikh Nooruddin Wali at Charar-e-Sharief, Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qader Jeelani at Khanayar and Saraibala, Shrine of Shah Hamdan and other shrines and holy places.
The Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid (AAJM) headed by Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq had also closed the historic Masjid in the down town for all prayers since Ramadhan month. Omar Farooq, who also heads moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) remained under house arrest since August 5, 2019.
However, after restrict lock down for about a month, the Deputy Commissioners of different districts allowed easing of corona curfew in their districts in a phased manner. However, in Srinagar, shopkeepers get chance to open their shops only once in a week though those dealing in essential commodities are allowed to function in the morning daily.
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