Yatra declines as only 198 pilgrims leave for Amarnath

Jammu, Aug 7 (UNI) A fresh batch of 198 pilgrims--marking a sharp dip in the number of yatries--escorted by security agencies left for Amarnath cave shrine this morning from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here, official reports said.

As per the official reports, 198 pilgrims including 67 male, 36 females, five children and 90 sadhus left for the holy cave shrine situated in south Kashmir in five passenger buses.

The yatra, however, witnessed a steep fall after protests rocked Jammu and Kashmir over Amarnath land row.

UNI VBH AM BST1320