Pithoragarh, June 05: Congress workers today blocked the Indo-Nepal bridge at Dharchula near here and burnt the effigy of Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani to protest his reported statement that Kailash-Mansarovar yatra route would be changed from Uttaranchal to Jammu and Kashmir. Congress workers shouted slogans against Advani's remark that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee would take up the issue of changing of the yatra route with China during his forthcoming visit to that country.

They alleged that Advani was conspiring against the traditional interest of the region and said if Kailash Mansarovar yatra route is changed from traditional Lipu-Lekh pass in Uttaranchal to Manley in Jammu and Kashmir, it would lose its sacredness as also the seasonal employment of local people.

Bureau Report