Tension prevailed outside the busy Hall Gate here on Saturday morning when activists of various Hindu organisations staged a vociferous protest against the recent Baltal clashes wherein some Amarnath pilgrims were injured.
The protesters raised slogans against the Jammu and Kashmir government and chief minister Omar Abdullah for allegedly failing to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the Amarnath Yatra.
The agitators alleged that the Jammu and Kashmir government was not serious about the security of the pilgrims, which has led to such an incident. They demanded tough action against all those involved in the Baltal incident.
Some protesters also attempted to move inside the Hall Gate but they were stopped by the heavy police force deployed there. The police had apprehended that some protesters might try to enter a mosque inside the Hall Gate and therefore heavy deployment was made in the area. To avert any untoward incident, the police had also deployed security around the mosque. Also, barricading was done at the entry of the Hall Gate.
The Baltal incident, wherein 'langar' tents were burnt and pilgrims were injured, had led to protests in Amritsar on Friday also. The protests continued for the second day on Saturday.
{{/usCountry}}The Baltal incident, wherein 'langar' tents were burnt and pilgrims were injured, had led to protests in Amritsar on Friday also. The protests continued for the second day on Saturday.
{{/usCountry}}Talking to Hindustan Times, ADCP (City-1) Parampal Singh said, "To avert any untoward incident, ample security arrangements were made. The protesters were stopped from going inside the Hall gate and requests were made to them to calm down". He further said, "The Shiv Sena has given a Bandh call for Monday and we will be keeping a close eye on the developments".