J&K CM Omar promises to ensure safe Amarnath Yatra, Kheer Bhawani mela
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said all measures would be put in place to ensure peaceful conduct of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra and Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela in Kashmir.
Talking to mediapersons in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal, Omar said as far as civil administration was concerned, preparations had begun. “As far as security is concerned, all measures will be taken,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the administration would try its best to ensure that the Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela, which was to be held on June 3, was successful.
“After that, we will try our best to ensure that the Amarnath Yatra from Baltal and Pahalgam is successful. We will try our best to ensure that all the passengers reach safely,” he said.
Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela, which is an annual event, is a very significant religious festival of Kashmiri Pandits. The festival is held in Mata Kheer Bhawani temple at Ganderbal district. Kashmiri Pandits from different parts of the country visit the temple on the occasion.
Similarly, Amarnath Yatra is all set to begin from the first week of July. After the major terror attack in Pahalgam last month, the security forces are putting extra efforts to ensure the peaceful conduct of Yatra this year.
Amarnath Yatra takes place every year from two routes — the shorter route from Baltal in Ganderbal district and another from Pahalgam in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Omar, who visited Ganderbal on Tuesday, also visited the temple in Ganderbal to get a first-hand look at the preparations for the upcoming Kheer Bhawani Mela.
To another question about the tourism industry badly hit after the Pahalgam attack, Omar said the government was not yet doing much about the revival.
“It (tourism) has been hit, but we are not doing much about it. Let’s settle the situation further,” Omar said.
He said they would start a process to revive tourism by taking the “stakeholders” onboard. Omar said the good thing was that the tour operators outside Jammu and Kashmir also wanted tourism to be revived in the UT.
“Some groups are starting to arrive. And as I said, let the yatra concludes successfully, then we will be able to revive tourism again,” the Chief Minister said.
