Violence erupts in Jammu as curfew is lifted

Jammu, July 25 : Violence erupted afresh in Jammu today as furious agitators protesting against the revocation of land allotted to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), burnt vehicles and pelted stones after curfew was lifted this morning.

Police resorted to baton charge and about ten people got injured.

Protestors said that they would continue protests until the land to the SASB is allotted.

"We warn the Government that if it doesn't allot land for the Amarnath pilgrims, everybody including children will sacrifice their lives," said Chotu, a local.

The shutdown call given by the Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti spearheading the agitation against the government for backing down from transferring forestland to the Hindu shrine, has been extended till July 27.

The shutdown was initially called for a day to express sorrow over the suicide of a youth on Wednesday.

The State Government reversed its decision last month to transfer 100 acres of forestland for building temporary shelters for thousands of Hindu pilgrims visiting Amarnath shrine.

ANI