CM Omar warns of ‘wrong message’ to nation

Srinagar, Jun 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday said that this year’s restriction on helicopter service for the Amarnath Yatra was unusual and could send a wrong message to the rest of the country.

“Amarnath Yatra is a good thing. We also want the yatra to go well. The only strange thing is that this time the helicopter service is not being allowed,” local news gathering agency KNS quoted the CM as saying while talking to reporters outside the Srinagar airport after receiving the first batch of Hajj pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia.

He said this was the first time in many years that such a restriction had been imposed.

“A wrong message is going to the rest of the country. I do not have the intelligence inputs on which this decision was made, but this is the first time in so many years that the helicopter service is not being allowed,” CM Omar said.