Amarnath yatra suspended for second day

SRINAGAR: Amarnath yatra remained suspended for the second day today in view of curfew imposed in many parts of Kashmir Valley and Ramban district on Jammu Srinagar National Highway due to the firing incident in Gool area.

No fresh batch of pilgrims was allowed to proceed towards Kashmir from the base camp in Jammu, official sources said.

An official spokesman last night said the decision to suspend the yatra was taken as a precautionary measure.

"Due to the prevailing situation, and the restrictions imposed in the parts of the state, the Amarnath yatra shall remain suspended," the spokesman said.

Over 2.50 lakh pilgrims have participated in this year's yatra to perform the darshan of the naturally-formed ice lingam at Amarnath cave in south Kashmir Himalayas.

Four persons were killed yesterday when security personnel opened fire at a mob that had gathered at a BSF camp in Ramban district to protest against alleged manhandling of an Imam of the area by the force.