Srinagar, 21 July : Amarnnath shrine board of Jammu and Kashmir UT on Tuesday cancelled the annual Amarnnath yatra 2020 citing surge in Covid-19 cases.

Highly placed Sources told news agency KDC that the decision was taken during a meeting of Shrine Board in which Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor GC Murmu and other officers took participation which was held on Tuesday.

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, there was speculation that the yatra may begin post-July 20, but, so far the SASB had remained uncommunicative about the schedule of the annual yatra but called tuesday called for it’s cancelation.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir UT administration had already made all necessary arrangements for it. Other government agencies have also made all preparations to welcome the pilgrims.

Last year, the Amarnath Yatra was curtailed following intelligence inputs of militant threats and violence ahead of BJP led central government’s move of abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and in 2018, the pilgrimage was held for 60 days.(KDC)