Kousar Nag Yatra row: I had never given permission, says DC

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Authorities Friday termed the reports baseless that they had given permission to the All Pandit Migrants Coordination Committee (APMCC) for a fresh Yatra to the Pir Panjal glacial lake Kousar Nag from South Kashmir. Deputy Commissioner Kulgam Nisar Ahmed Wani told CNS that district administration never gave its consent for the Kousar Nag Yatra.

“A group of Pandits approached me and sought my permission to conduct the Kousar Nag Yatra from South Kashmir. I did not give permission but directed SP Kulgam to provide them foolproof security if they wish to perform Yatra at Kousar Nag,” Wani said adding that there is no truth in the reports that after giving permission for the Yatra the government cancelled it.

District Development Commissioner Kulgam added that the proposed Yatra will never be allowed from South Kashmir route. “No Yatra would be allowed to Kousar Nag from the Pir Panjal foothills in South Kashmir. Yatra will operate only through its traditional route in Reasi district”, he said adding that if the group of local Pandits who had approached him on June 21 spread this false notion of permission then he is sorry to say that they have misled the people of the state.

Meanwhile, Chairman APMCC Vinod Pandit castigated authorities for cancelling the permission for the Yatra from South Kashmir. He said that the DC Kulgam had issued a formal order granting permission to the organization to conduct pilgrimage from South Kashmir route. “DC Kulgam is backtracking because he is feeling the pressure of the ‘communal elements’. Pandit said.

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