80 detained, 10 cops among 70 injured; political leaders appeals for peace

By News Agency of Kashmir,

Jammu : As the fire of Amarnath row is continuously spreading towards remote villages of Jammu division, more and more violent protests and clashes were reported from various parts of Jammu region. Over 70 persons including 10 police personnel were injured in police and protestors clashes while over 80 persons were arrested by the police for defying curfew restrictions.

However, the district administration today relaxed curfew for an hour in selected police station areas of the winter capital to enable the people to purchase essential commodities. Reports said that curfew was relaxed for an hour from 5:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m hrs in Bakshi Nagar and Janipur police station areas while it was relaxed from 6: p.m to 7:00 p.m in Gandhi Nagar, Trikuta Nagar and Satwari areas. Reports said that the authorities were reviewing the situation periodically.

Meanwhile, following violent protests and clashes, Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel today conducted a flag march in Jammu city where curfew was imposed on Tuesday. Sources informed that a cavalcade of the RAF personnel carrying red flags on their vehicles, marched throughout the city of temples. Four companies of the RAF, including the women squad has been deployed in Jammu to maintain the law and order after the people came on the streets to lodge protests against the government's decision of revocation of forest land given to the SASB.

Sources informed News Agency of Kashmir that thousands of protestors defying curfew orders assembled at Bantalab area and marched towards Jammu. They also burnt tyres in the middle of the road and shouted slogans against the state government. Though a heavy contingent of police tried to stop them to proceed towards Jammu city, the protestors pelted stones and smashed several vehicles. Sources further informed that the police restored to intense baton charge and arrested over two dozen of people. Police also fired several rounds of teargas to disperse agitated mob.

Sources said that at least 15 people including three police personnel in a violent clash between police and protestors. In a three-hour long dig-dong battle, over 15 persons were injured while over two dozen were arrested by police to violate curfew orders. The Gangyal area also witnessed violent clash between police and protestors where eight persons got injuries.

Reports from Samba said that an agitated mob set a police vehicle carrying a militant on fire in Gaghwal area of the district. Reports said that thousands of the people assembled at Jammu-Pathankot National Highway and blocked it for several hours.

A police vehicle carrying a militant was stopped by protestors and set it on fire. However, army rushed to the spot and rescued the militant. Scores of persons got injuries in the incident. The militant was being shifted to Kathua from Jammu, added reports. The district administration gave no relaxation in curfew hours in the town.

Reports from Kathua said that the protestors defied curfew orders at several places and pelted stones on the office of Public Relation Officer (PRO) of Minister of State for Power Babu Singh. However, reports added that an army jawan received injuries when some protesting people pelted stones on army vehicle during the flag march.

"The protestors also ransacked the police post Nagri and set it on fire. The agitated mob also set ablaze six Kullahs of Gujjar community members. However, no loss of life was reported in the incident. Police resorted to heavy cane charge on the people in which several persons got severe injuries," added reports.

Reports further informed that the protestors also destroyed the name plates of Congress Member Parliament Choudhary Lal Singh, adding that the protestors burnt tyres.

However, the Udhampur, Bhaderwah, Poonch, Rajouri, Doda and Kishtwar districts observed complete and peaceful bandh and no untoward incident was reported from these areas.

Meanwhile, chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has talked to all political leaders including BJP, NC and Shiv Sena presidents and desired for collective efforts for maintaining peace and harmony in the region.