The annual Amarnath Yatra has been suspended for three days, from August 21 to 23 as the authorities decided not to allow any pilgrim to move from Jammu to the Kashmir Valley.
“No yatri will be allowed to move towards the Kashmir Valley from here on August 21, 22 and 23,” a police officer said.
Officials gave no explanation for the yatra’s suspension, but informed sources said the decision was taken because of the Eid festival on Wednesday, and also due to the decreasing number of pilgrims opting for the yatra as it nears its end on August 26.
Earlier on Monday, a mere number of 43 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas for the Kashmir Valley.
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The number of pilgrims has been decreasing with each passing day because all those who officially registered themselves for the 2018 Yatra have already performed the pilgrimage that started on June 28.
Many service providers who set up free kitchens — Langars — have left the valley as not many pilgrims are heading to the cave shrine.
Over 2.82 lakh pilgrims have been reported to have performed the yatra, which is to end on August 26, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima festival.
