The Amarnath Yatra was suspended on Saturday with no pilgrimallowed to move towards the Kashmir Valley from Jammu due to aseparatist-called protest shutdown.

"Taking stock of the law and order situation becausethe protest shutdown called by the separatists today, movement of the pilgrimsfrom Jammu to Srinagar will remain suspended today," police sources said.July13 is observed as Martyrs Day in Jammu and Kashmir to remember those killed inthe firing outside the Srinagar Central Jail by forces of the Dogra Maharaja in1931.

The state government observes the day to honour those whofought for Independence in 1947.Former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah also reachedthe graveyard with his supporters and paid homage to the 1931 martyrs."Thegovernor is a BJP man and won't come here to pay the tribute," said FarooqAbdullah

When asked about assembly election in the state, Farooqsaid,"Today or tomorrow the government should conduct state assemblyelection as the popular government is the only is the way to peace."Sincethe annual pilgrimage to the Himalayan cave shrine started on July 1, over 1.50lakh pilgrims have performed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra so far.The cave shrinehouses an ice stalagmite structure that symbolises the mythical powers of LordShiva, according to the devotees.

The structure waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon.Pilgrimsapproach the shrine either from the shorter 14 km-long Baltal trek or throughthe longer 45 km Pahalgam trek.Helicopter services are also available forpilgrims at both base camps.The Cave shrine was discovered in 1850 by a MuslimShepherd, Buta Malik.Legend says a Sufi saint rewarded the shepherd with a bagof charcoal that turned out to be gold.Descendants of the shepherd havereceived a portion of the offerings from the cave shrine for over 150 years. Thisyear's Amarnath Yatra will end on August 15 coinciding with the Shravan Purnimafestival.