RAMADAN CEASEFIRE | Jitendra hails; says, focus moves to Amarnath yatra

JAMMU: Hailing the Ministry of Home Affairs' decision to not extend the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir, Minister of State (MoS) in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh lambasted the neighbouring country for sponsoring the terror in the state, even as he maintained that the government's next priority was to conduct the Amarnath Yatra peacefully. "I welcome the decision. We have to take the decision in the right spirit. The Home Ministry has taken into cognizance all inputs available," Singh said.

He underlined that government was committed to ensure a violence-free pilgrimage to holy Amarnath shrine.

"The immediate priority for us is that we have to conduct upcoming Amarnath Yatra peacefully. Nothing should happen from across the border that will discourage the pilgrims who come from different parts of India.

"Amarnath Yatra is not merely a pilgrimage alone. It's not a pilgrimage which is only close to Hindus as a community. Amarnath Yatra is one of the most distinct symbols of the composite culture of Jammu and Kashmir. A successful, safe and convenient conduct of Amarnath Yatra is a stake for all of us regardless of our ideologies or believes," he said.

Singh further criticised Pakistan for indulging in the terrorist activities in the state.

"The majority of youth in Kashmir has moved on. It is inherently more awakened. I have no hesitation to say that whatever is being witnessed in Kashmir today is absolutely a mercenary movement funded by Pakistan. Unless the Pakistan mischief is checked, things will not be absolutely normal," he said.