Amarnath yatra safety: SC gives J&K 2 weeks

The Supreme Court on Monday gave the Jammu and Kashmir government two weeks time to take a decision on the measures it will adopt to make the annual Amarnath Yatra safe.

The Supreme Court on Monday gave the Jammu and Kashmir government two weeks time to take a decision on the measures it will adopt to make the annual Amarnath Yatra safe.

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A bench of justice BS Chauhan and justice Swatanter Kumar asked the state government to take a decision on the various recommendations made by a high power committee appointed by the apex court.

It posted the case for further hearing on October 12.

The SC had on July 20 set up a committee to recommend measures to prevent the growing number of casualties among Amarnath pilgrims saying it had become a permanent problem and a regular affair.

The court had passed the order after taking suo motu note of media reports on pilgrims' deaths allegedly due to lack of proper facilities and medical care for them. The committee comprises secretaries of various departments, including those from the environment, home, health and child welfare ministries, besides the Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary.

The court had asked the committee to visit the shrine and give the report to J&K governor who is also the chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, responsible for holding the Amarnath pilgrimage.