Amarnath Yatra haulted, curfew imposed in Kashmir Valley(Update:Curfew)

The annual Amarnath Yatra has been haulted, as the Kashmir valley continues to remain tense, after clashes between local protesters and Border Security Forces (BSF) killed at least six people in Ramban on Thursday.

Authorities today imposed a curfew in all major towns of Kashmir to thwart plans of separatist and religious groups to stage protests against the Ramban firing incident that left at least six persons dead on Thursday.

"Curfew would remain in force till further orders from tomorrow (Friday) morning onwards in Srinagar and all other major towns of the Valley. The step has been necessitated to maintain law and order in the Valley," a police officer said here.

The Kashmir valley has been tense after Border Security Forces (BSF) fired at protesters outside the BSF station in the town of Gool (Ramban area). The protesters were unarmed and were protesting against the alleged manhandling of a local religious leader (an Imam).

Restrictions under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure that does not permit assembly of four or more persons has been imposed in rest of the valley, officials said.

Meanwhile, there have been reports of almost 1,000 pilgrims having reached Jammu from across the country for the holy Amarnath Yatra. They have been lodged at camps for the time being as curfew continues to be imposed on the Kashmir valley.