With the annual Amarnath yatra drawing near, the Jammu and Kashmir administration is yet to take a final call on whether the pilgrimage will go ahead or not. Earlier in April, the administration suspended the registrations of pilgrims in view of the sudden outbreak of the second Covid-19 wave, which soon overwhelmed the country. Now, with the infections plunging sharply across India and also within Jammu and Kashmir, the government seems to be toying with the idea to let the pilgrimage go ahead. But the prospect is fraught with risk.
Last week, home minister Amit Shah held a meeting with Lt Governor Manoj Sinha. The meeting was also attended by the outgoing Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam, his successor Dr Arun K Mehta, Intelligence Bureau (IB) Chief, Arvind Kumar, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh and ADG, J&K Police CID.
Yatra was supposed to be one of the top points of discussion.
A VISIBLE UNEASE
This has generated some unease in Kashmir where people apprehend that the yatra will lead to a fresh surge in the cases of Coronavirus. Moreso, as it could spread the virulent Covid-19 strain to Kashmir too. The variant wrought havoc across India leading to an exponential rise in infections. Though the caseload has currently been contained to a large extent, it is yet to be reined in. The cases in Kashmir are also not under control, hovering still around one thousand, the peak of last year, with the Valley witnessing the major chunk of them.
Denne historien er fra June 19, 2021-utgaven av Kashmir Life.
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Denne historien er fra June 19, 2021-utgaven av Kashmir Life.
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Before The Kabul Retreat
Described as the ‘Graveyard of Empires’, Afghanistan was always termed to be at peace when it was at war. But the land-locked desert country that was always in turmoil and one of the worst targets of the Great Game suffered immensely throughout, especially in the last 40 years, Masood Hussain writes
FINGERS CROSSED
Almost everybody in academia and politics that Khalid Bashir Gura spoke to, the response over Kabul happens was simple – wait and watch
Parliamentary Committee In Srinagar
The visiting 28-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs have had detailed interactions with top civil administration and discussed developmental scenario and people’s welfare measures in Jammu and Kashmir. It is on a 4-day visit. Congress leader and MP Anand Sharma is heading the committee.
MUSIC IN MUD HOUSE
Deep into north Kashmir, Faheem Mir meet a small community that sings and lives on folk music but is facing a tense situation in the last few years
THE KABUL SPILLOVER?
Security experts are divided over the possible impact of the Kabul situation on Kashmir. But the dramatic Taliban triumph has altered the region’s geopolitics, for the time being, writes Riyaz Wani
Durga Bhawan At Katra
To enhancing facilities for the convenience of the Vaishno Devi pilgrims, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha laid the foundation for the Durga Bhawan, a high utility pilgrim-centric facility worth Rs 24.4 crore. The facility will accommodate 4000 pilgrims.
Women Empowerment
In the first, 480 talented girls from Jammu and Kashmir were included in the degree and diploma courses of the Pragati Scholarship. Jammu and Kashmir has also got nine scholarships under the Saksham Scheme for Persons with Disabilities.
‘SOME HISTORIANS BELIEVE THAT AFGHANISTAN CONFLICT IS THE OUTCOME OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN KASHMIR STAND-OFF'
Foreign policy expert and editor of HardNews magazine, Sanjay Kapoor believes that Taliban 2.0 has more legitimacy unlike in the past as it had signed a deal with the US and negotiated with other countries of the region, but the final verdict can be passed only after it manages ticklish issues involving half of its population, the women
Boredom Is Creative?
Getting bored is not as boring as it gets, writes Azra Hussain
LG In Bangus
Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Bungus Awaam Mela amidst grand arrangements for village games, exhilarating local performances, and other activities to celebrate the 75th year of Independence.
