Sheikh Hilal
KULGAM
Clashes broke out between protestors and police at Aharbal when locals from district Kulgam were marching towards Kousar Nag.
Pertinently, Kousar Nag Yatra is scheduled to start from today. The government has allowed Kousar Nag Hindu Yatra from Reasi district in Jammu region and simultaneously withdrew an earlier order allowing Kashmiri Hindus to start their journey to Kousar Nag from Kulgam route.
Reports reaching here said that about 15oo people in number were marching under the banner of ‘Save Kousar Nag Front’ to reach to the high altitude natural spring located in the most fragile part of Pir Panjal range.
“The people particularly youth were marching towards the venue but were intercepted by police at Aharbal,” a witness told Kashmir Life. He added, “the youth showed resistance but police used tear gas shelling and tried to stop people.”
Reports further said that some of the youth were injured in the police action.
When contacted SP Kulgam, Mumtaz Ahmad confirmed that police stopped the people from marching but negated the reports saying, “no one was injured in the action.”
The Yatra, apparently a new one, started from Reasi in Jammu on Monday and was formally launched by the local lawmaker. The pilgrims intend to reach the glacial spring on Wednesday and hold a six-day puja. They are also supposed to take a dip in the lake.
