Clashes at Baltal, many injured, Yatra suspended

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Amarnath Yatra from Baltal route was suspended on Friday after violent clashes between the local labourers and the non local people affiliated with the Yatra caused tension and CRPF had to use tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters. Reports said that more than 20 people were injured during the scuffle and one among them was shifted to SKIMS Soura.

Local sources said tent owners, pony owners, traders and labourers, started protesting after a tent owner was allegedly attacked by a non local Langer owner. The tent owner was badly injured and shifted to SKIMS for treatment.

They said that the incident took place at Baltal base camp of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.

As the news of the attack spread in the area, hundreds of people took to the streets and raised slogans against the non local people affiliated with the Yatra alleging the non locals always harass and insult the local tent owners, pony owners, traders and labourers.

Paramilitary forces deployed for the security of Amarnath yatris quickly swung into action and used force to disperse the protesters resulting in clashes and the damage to many tents and Langers.

More than twenty people were also injured in the violent clashes after which the Yatra was suspended by the authorities, reports said.

Sources said that senior officers of the civil and police administration have reached the spot and they are trying to pacify the situation which was very tense till the reports last came in.

from Kashmir Life http://ift.tt/1rvGTuJ

via IFTTThttp://ift.tt/1iGhVXj