Srinagar: Leaders of many mainstream Jammu and Kashmir political parties on Wednesday attended a “high tea” meeting with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the Raj Bhavan here where smooth conduct of the Amarnath Yatra was discussed.
However, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and Peoples Conference chairman, Sajad Lone didn’t attend the meeting.
Sinha invited heads of various political parties in the union territory for a meeting to discuss the prevailing situation including the pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina and Congress president G A Mir were among the notable leaders who attended the meeting.
Talking to media persons after the meeting, the participants said the Lt Governor sought cooperation from political parties in ensuring smooth conduct of the yatra.
“The senior leaders assured the LG of their support. They said Amarnath Yatra is part of cultural heritage of Kashmir and people will make it a success,” J&K BJP president Raina said.
Congress leader Mir said while the leaders assured of cooperation, they also highlighted the need to ease the restrictions along the highway, wherefrom the yatra will pass.
“We told the LG about the need to look into the stringent measures. There are emergency cases which need to be considered,” Mir added.
Amarnath Yatra will begin on Thursday.
Earlier, the PDP said it was strange that the office of the Lt Governor was inviting leaders for a “high tea” meeting at such a “sensitive time”.
“If there were something to be discussed, an agenda should have been set for the meeting,” PDP chief spokesperson Suhail Bukhari said.
Reacting to the invitation, Bukhari tweeted, “For a meeting in the evening that is supposed to be a serious affair, the invitation is sent in the morning. What a mockery! By the way what happened to the outcome of the all parties meeting chaired by @PMOIndia in which @OfficeOfLGJandK and @HMOIndia was also present?”
He also said it was ironic that the security apparatus denied Mehbooba permission to visit her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s grave in Anantnag district on the same day when the administration was inviting her for the meeting.
Meanwhile, an official spokesman said that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today held a meeting with senior political leaders to discuss arrangements and management of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, at Raj Bhavan here.
The Lt Governor observed that sacred pilgrimage strengthens our faith in the goodness of mankind & its successful conduct is responsibility of every citizen of J&K UT, said the spokesman.
“Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is a reflection of our composite culture and people belonging to all the faiths are contributing to make it successful” the spokesman quoted LG as saying.
All the senior leaders in the meeting speaking in one voice observed that Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is like a big festival, a celebration of Kashmiriyat for common man of J&K and each & every citizen of UT will ensure warm hospitality & comfort of the pilgrims, said the spokesman.
The senior leaders appealed to the people for their continuous support and assistance in the conduct of the Yatra and observed that Yatra is a vital part of J&K’s economy and livelihood source for a large number of local people, the spokesman said.
The Lt Governor also apprised the meeting about the arrangements put in place for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2022, besides special places identified at all Yatra Camps for selling local products, including famous art and handicrafts of Jammu Kashmir, added the spokesman.
All the senior leaders of prominent political parties of J&K put forth their views and suggestions for the smooth and successful conduct of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, he said.
The Lt Governor said a similar meeting would be held after 10 days of Yatra.
The political leaders who participated in the meeting included Dr. Farooq Abdullah, M Y Tarigami, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Muzzafar Shah, Altaf Bukhari, GA Mir, Ravinder Raina, Hakeem Mohd. Yaseen and GM Shaheen, the spokesman said.
