Amid apprehensions of violence, the first day of Amarnath Yatra on Wednesday was not a smooth go as it started amid hiccups from its first base camp at Yatri Niwas in the winter capital of state at the crack of dawn this morning.
The administration moved very cautiously in the regulation of yatra closely monitoring the turn of events in the Valley as well as in Jammu and halting it at number of places. The move however earned the wrath of pilgrims.
Nevertheless the day witnessed a swift turn of events full of dramatic elements. The guarded approach of the state government was also guided by the call of Jammu and Kashmir Petrol and Oil Tankers Association to suspend fuel supply to the Valley in protest against attacks on the drivers and their vehicles. The call was revoked however later in the evening following an agreement with the administration. The association in a press conference on Wednesday alleged that around 35 tankers were reportedly damaged by agitators during the recent protests besides injuring many drivers.
The association also paraded injured drivers and conductors before the media alleging that the administration was in denial mode till today vis-à-vis attacks on them. Later in the evening, the decision to suspend fuel supply was revoked after the administration announced compensation.