One person was killed in the curfew-bound Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir [Images] on Wednesday after the army opened fire to quell stone-pelting mob on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway.

Army troops had to open fire to disperse an unruly mob at Pallimorh in the Kathua district of Jammu region, after protestors violated the curfew, blocked the highway and indulged in heavy stone pelting on the security forces.
 
"One person died on the spot while another one was seriously injured," a senior police officer said.

                                          Unrest continues in Kashmir
 
He said the Army had taken charge of clearing the highway, to facilitate the smooth passage of trucks carrying essential supplies to the valley, which had been stranded since the agitation started.
 
"The Army had tried to persuade the protestors to vacate the highway in the curfew bound area," he said.
 
Curfew was imposed in Kathua district on Tuesday evening.
 
Sources said that hundreds of villagers have now blocked the highway.

                                           Jammu's Hindu uprising
 
The curfew was relaxed in Jammu today morning for a few hours, and there were reports of minor curfew violations by groups of protestors at some places.
 
Life in the Valley remained paralysed due to the strike called by hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, which coincided with all party meet convened by Prime Minster Manmohan Singh [Images] in New Delhi [Images].
 
Srinagar [Images] wore a deserted look with shops, businesses, schools, government offices and banks remaining shut and vehicles staying off the roads.

                                            Pilgrims deserve better        
 
Meanwhile state governor  N N Vohra has invited Shri Lila Karan Sharma, convenor of the Shri Amarnath Yatra [Images] Sangarsh Samiti, to visit Baltal, the base camp of the holy cave.
 
The letter by B B Vyas, principal secretary to governor and chief executive officer of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, states that "It is extremely necessary to have complete clarity about the total land required by the SASB at Baltal for various purposes, on temporary basis, keeping in view the land already under its use for providing facilities during the yatra period."

                                   Amarnath Yatra: Pilgrims' Progress
 
"Such a clarity can be secured only on a site visit to Baltal and Domail", the communication said.
 
In his earlier meetings with Samiti leaders, prominent citizens of Jammu and leaders of various political parties, the governor had offered to reconstitute the board to make it effective to cope with the ever increasing rush of yatris.
 
He had also discounted the fears about dilution of the SASB and assured that it will continue to be the sole authority for managing the annual yatra.

                                Amarnath land transfer order revoked