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Onkar Singh in New Delhi
The Jammu and Kashmir government cannot extend the duration of the famed Amarnath Yatra because of security considerations. This was disclosed by Governor Girish Chandra Saxena on Tuesday.
Talking to rediff.com, the governor said there had been demands for extending the duration of the yatra from various quarters, but this would not be possible.
"We too would like to extend the yatra by a few days, but the present security environment does not permit us to do so. May be once the situation improves we would be able to take a decision in this regard," Saxena said.
He said that in order to minimise the problems faced by the pilgrims, the state government would issue yatra permits from all branches of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank.
"Also, the Jammu and Kashmir tourism offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Kokata and Chennai would be be authorised to issue the permits," he said.
Saxena, who chairs the yatra board, said the state government is taking adequate steps to ensure tight security during the month-long yatra that begins on July 20.
"We have already launched combing operations. We are sanitising the route and also watching the heights. We would make if difficult for someone who is out to create mischief to sneak in," he said.
More then 1.5 lakh yatris are expected to visit the valley for the annual yatra.
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