SRINAGAR: Even as the authorities withdrew permission for a Hindu pilgrimage, at least nine people were injured Thursday as locals at Kulgam clashed with government forces amidst protests that erupted over the suddenly planned Hindu pilgrimage to Kousar Nag, a high altitude hill spring in Kulgam’s Aharbal area.
Eyewitnesses said that hundreds of locals marched toward the Yatra destination from Aharbal and when they reached Gurwatan, the police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force personnel intercepted them resorting to baton charge. The protesters retaliated by pelting stones on govt forces. The forces lobbed teargas shelling to disperse the agitating people. In the ensuing clashes, at least 12 people sustained injuries, they said, adding: However, all of them are out of danger.
Medical officials at Public Health Centre in Manzgam said they received six injured persons who are being treated upon.
Giving in to the pressure mounted by civil society groups, the Omar Abdullah government has withdrawn permission to the All Pandit Migrants Coordination Committee (APMCC) for a fresh pilgrimage to the Pir Panjal glacial lake Kousarnag from southern Kashmir.
Kulgam and Shopian districts had observed shutdown on Wednesday and the separatists had planned stir to stop the pilgrimage. Sensing trouble, authorities conveyed to the APMCC that the pilgrimage to Kousarnag would be permitted only through Chasana in Jammu’s Reasi district.
A police spokesman said Kulgam police restored order and situation was brought to normal at Ahrebal, after a stone pelting incident. A group of people blocked the road at Aherbal in the jurisdiction of police station D H Pora today. Among the group some miscreants pelted stones on a police party. Police used mild cane charge and chased them away. Three persons received minor injuries during the pelting. Situation has been restored to normal.
The yatra, apparently a newly announced one, started from Reasi in Jammu on Monday and was formally launched by a local lawmaker there. The pilgrims intended to reach the glacial spring on Wednesday and hold a six-day puja. But a spate of statements from separatists, threatening agitation, forced the government to withdraw the permission to the group that had planned the yatra.
Kausar Nag Lake is located at an altitude of over 12000 feet above sea level in Kashmirs Shopian district.
A Kasmiri Pandit group the All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee is starting its yatra on Tuesday and at least 4000 people had planned to embark on the pilgrimage to the lake.
Kausar Nag is a glacial lake that is said to be among the Valleys purest. The Jammu and Kashmir government, which declared the lake a place of religious significance for Hindus, had made extensive preparations for the pilgrims.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
