JAMMU, May : Former Union Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah today advocated that annual Amarnath pilgrimage should be of two months without any restrictions. “Amarnath pilgrimage must take place for two months because not only people will have darshans but it is the people of that region that survive on the yatra and earn for the whole year,” Dr Abdullah told reporters this afternoon following his visit to Jammu after undergoing a surgery in London.
He was here in the town to enquire about the health of senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Chaman Lal Gupta. “I want that that the yatra must go for full period without any restrictions,” said Dr Abdullah.
Hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani had recently demanded curtailment in the yatra period. This year’s 59-day-long yatra is starting from July 2 and will conclude on August 29.
Asked about China, the NC chief said, “China has its own policy. We are trying to develop better relations with them “Now it is upto China, whether they will really fulfill the dreams, we are looking so that we can live in peace.”
Dr Abdullah also demanded to sort out the issue of staple visa and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi that during his ongoing visit, he must ask China to at least issue normal visas.
On settlement of Kashmiri pandits in separate townships in the Valley, he said, “Whatever has to be done, I feel that the KPs, Muslims, Sikhs, who live in Kashmir, they must sit together and arrive at condusive way of doing it.”
(AGENCIES)
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