Shrine Board is sole authority to manage Amarnath Yatra: Vohra

Jammu, Aug 1 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra, today made it clear that the role and responsibility of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) had not been diluted in anyway whatsoever and declared that the management of the annual yatra would continue to be among its duties.

In his four-hour long interaction here with the prominent citizens of Jammu this morning, Mr Vohra said. ''The state government will not meddle in the affairs of the Board. The statutory duties of the Board to ensure the safety, security and better facilities for the pilgrims shall not be compromised under any circumstances.'' ''A proposal has been made to reconstitute the Board including several eminent persons of Jammu as its members,'' the Governor added.

Mr Vohra however, added that the administration shall fully provide all required logistic support from Lakhanpur to the Cave Shrine both from Baltal and Pahalgam routes and the manning of the yatra would continue to be the responsibility of the Shrine Board.

Expressing concern over the drastic decline in the number of pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi and Amarnath shrine due to the prevailing situation, Mr Vohra said, ''the of people Jammu should use their wisdom, experience and influence in carrying forward a meaningful dialogue to normalise the situation in the region.'' The Governor also cautioned against the elements inimical to the national security who, always look out for any disturbed situation and exploit it for their nefarious gains.

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