Kashmir unrest: Amarnath Yatra suspended again

Curfew has been imposed in the Kashmir Valley since 9 July.

The Amartnath Yatra was suspended yet again on Thursday over the heavy rush of people on the Baltal trek and also due to the prevailing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by Indian security forces.

Lakshman, a pilgrim from Andhra Pradesh expressed his anger saying that he has been travelling for so long and has been waiting from the past two days to pay obeisance.

"Today as well, early morning at 5 or 6 a.m. we were sitting in the bus and it did not leave. What is their aim Two-three days have already been passed and why are they doing this to us We all have come from faraway places, from a distance of about 3,000 kms, how can they do this," Lakshman said.

Meanwhile, the curfew continued in most places of the Valley today as well, as the separatists have decided to extend the protest shutdown for another two days.

Curfew has been imposed in the Kashmir Valley since 9 July.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the clashes between protesters and security forces in Kashmir has increased to 37, while normal life remained paralysed due to curfew-like restrictions and separatists-sponsored strike.

Calling on the people of Jammu and Kashmir to cooperate with the state government amid the turbulent situation in the valley, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti yesterday called for restrain among locals while assuring that action will be taken on security forces for using 'excessive force'.

Separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Yaseen Malik have called for the strike in the Valley to be extended by two more days (July 14 and 15) and have also asked the people to stage protests after Friday prayers.