Srinagar, June 6: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today discussed upcoming Amarnath Yatra and security of J&K with Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla in New Delhi.

Amarnath yatra was scheduled to begin on June 28 and last till August 22 but Govt has yet to decide whether to carry whether to go with it as per schedule.

Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) had earlier announced annual pilgrimage will be held for 56 days this year starting June 28 and conclude on August 22.

However as Covid positive cases showed hike, on April 22, the SASB had ordered suspension of registration for Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage which had started on April 1st.

Sources said Lieutenant Governor and the Union Home Secretary held detailed discussions whether to hold Shri Amarnath Ji yatra in view of decrease in Covid19 cases.

Sources informed that no decesion was taken regarding the holding of the Yatra and more meetings could take place between the Lieutenant Governor and Centre Govt.

SASB had cancelled the yatra last year also due to pandemic. In 2019 also, the yatra was cut short by about 15 days ahead of Central Government’s decision to abrogate special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of erstwhile State into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.

It is important to mention that Army chief Gen MM Naravane during his Kashmir visit two days before had stated that the Army was fully prepared to provide security for the pilgrimage.

Sources said that Security of J&K situation particularly killings of political leaders was also discussed.

BJP leader and Tral Municipal Committee Chairman Rakesh Pandita was killed by the militants.

Sources said security forces may be asked to step up anti-militancy operations which according to DGP Dilbagh Singh got hampered due to pandemic.

The Lieutenant Governor is expected to meet more leaders and top officials of the Central Government before returning to Jammu and Kashmir on Monday.