KL Report
SRINAGAR
Ridiculing the news reports that any permission for any ‘Yatra’ was given by the state government, government on Friday stated that no permission for any Yatra at Kousar nag was issued.
Talking to KNS, Home Secretary Jammu and Kashmir Government Suresh Kumar stated that it is a mere rumour that any Yatra would take place at Kousar nag and the state government has issued permission for the same. “In actual, it is not Traditional Yatra but only a Puja that used to take place near Kousar nag years ago.”
Kumar remarked that from the last few years, some people of the particular community offer prayers at the place and that no Yatra as such has ever been scheduled or taken place in the area.
When asked about the reports that a fully fledged Yatra shall be arranged and the Kousar Nag would be made as a Yatra venue likewise Armarnath pilgrimage, Kumar remarked that the state government has no such proposal and that only a usual prayers are being held by some people every year near the stream. ”Separatists by issuing strike calls against the so called Yatra that itself is not true, may have their own agenda but as far as the government is concerned, no proposal for Yatra is there.”
Mr Kumar.
Here is the pres note that Information department issued on July 16. It is numbered properly. This is for your ready reference.
Kounsar Nag Yatra arrangements reviewed
REASI, JULY 16-The arrangements for the smooth conduct of six day Annual Kounsar Nag Yatra at tehsil Mahore in Reasi district, commencing from July 28 were discussed at a meeting of officers held under the chairmanship of Additional District Development Commissioner, Reasi, Rajinder Singh Tara here today.
Threadbare discussions were held on various arrangements, including medicare, transportation, boarding and lodging, provision of adequate ration, security, and uninterrupted power and water supply, to be made for the convenience of the devotees.
It was decided in the meeting that adequate arrangements of medicare facilities would be put in place for the convenience of the yatries. For the purpose six teams of doctors and paramedics would be stationed at specified locations with adequate stock of medicines and oxygen cylinders.
The Army would provide sufficient tents for the comfortable stay of the pilgrims at village Harshu, the base camp of the yatra.
Addressing the meeting, the ADDC said that efforts would be made to promote the Kounsar Nag as tourist destination.
For the purpose, he asked the officers of Tourism Department to chalk out a comprehensive strategy to popularize the spot by erecting hoarding at prominent locations, so that pilgrims after visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, could be diverted to such locations for tourism promotion in the district.
The pilgrims after stay at base camp of the Yatra at Village Harshu in Mahore, would proceed for Kounsar Nag and pay obedience at the holy day of Nag Panchami on July 30.
The yatra would cover different areas of the Reasi district including Salal, Arnas, Dharmari, Mahore, Chasana and Sungri to reach Kounsar Nag.
Among others, DFO Mahore, ARTO, President Kounsar Nag Yatra Samiti, Thakan Das Sharma and officers of PHE, PWD, PDD, Tourism, CA&PD, Doordarshan, All India Radio and representative of Himalayan Helicopter services attended the meeting.
No. PR/J/2014/1989/desk/as//