Srinagar, June 16 -- PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said safeguarding the annual Amarnath Yatra is the duty of Kashmiris, and an opportunity to build harmony in times of growing hate and polarisation.

The 57-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas is set to begin on July 3.

The former chief minister, who visited Pahalgam to interact with local hospitality sector stakeholders, said, "The yatra is our opportunity to end hate across India. It is our duty to safeguard the yatra. It is not merely security's responsibility".

"Every Amarnath pilgrim who visits us is a guest of Kashmir. They carry the story of our land, our people, and our values to every corner of India. It is our responsibility t...