Jammu, February 16 (KNO) : Strict curfew remains imposed in winter capital Jammu on Saturday as well. According to KNO correspondent Jammu people were asked to remain indoors as curfew remain imposed on the whole district Jammu. "Army was deployed in some areas to control the situation," locals said. Tensions erupted after protesters targeted Muslim specific areas and damaged property and also targeted civil servants' from Kashmir.
Army had to be called in as police seemed helpless and 'callous' as many called them. Amid rising tensions in Jammu’s Gujjar Nagar Army on Friday carried out flag march to calm down the area. "Don't play into the hands of anti- national elements. They want to disturb our societal harmony. Defeat their designs. Don't get provoked. Maintain calm," IGP Jammu has said.
"More than 80 vehicles have been vandalised and 8 vehicles have been set ablaze," eyewitnesses said. JCCI had called for a shutdown in Jammu against the deadly attack on CRPF in Pulwama district. The shutdown was supported by Jammu bar Association as well. However, Army in this afternoon lifted its deployment from Janipur Colony of Jammu after ‘verbal quarrel’ between them and police took place there following police lathi charged the protesters in the area.
Sources told KNO that police reached the spot where protest was going on against the killing of CRPF men in Lethpora attack on Thursday and lathi charged the protesters, adding that Army and police entered into verbal quarrel over the lathi charge and lifted its deployment from Janipur here.
They added Army told police that they were handling the situation in well manner but such lathi charges and other related things would further deteriorate the situation. After Army and police’s verbal quarrel, Army has lifted its deployment from the area. However, there was no official confirmation till the report was last filed.
Divisional commissioner Jammu said situation is under control and curfew will only be lifted after reviewing the situation in the region. "Kashmiris are safe, officials visited the employees and adequate security has been put in place," Div Com Jammu said. According to KNO correspondent, Div Com addressed a presser and said that ‘minor clashes had erupted in some areas but situation has been brought to control’. He said that some slogans were raised but there is total control on situation. Moreover, the present situation in Jammu according to Civil Society Muslim Jammu is because of anti-nationals.
Civil Society Muslim Jammu asked Governor Jammu and Kashmir Satya Pal Malik to fix responsibility for the vandalism, torching of vehicles in Jammu on Friday. Addressing a presser, Advocate Sheikh Shakeel of Civil Society Muslim Jammu said that responsibility should be fixed on the officials for the callous approach of the authorities.
“I tell you with responsibility that people who tried to create communal tensions in Jammu yesterday are anti national,” Shakeel, according to KNO correspondent, said. Shakeel said that police, district, and divisional office failed in anticipating and controlling the situation in the winter capital.
“There are sensitive places in Jammu and only 3 to 4 police personnel were deployed in the areas and when the mob attacked the places they only watched in despair,” Shakeel said, adding that more than hundred vehicles were burnt in front of police. Shakeel said that attempt was made to give a perception that Kashmiris are not with us 'at this time to grief that our jawans have been killed'.
"Those who tried to create the communal divide are anti nationals. What happened yesterday is all recorded in cameras, police should launch an investigation and arrest all those people," Shakeel urged.
He said that people should understand there are more than lakh students in Jammu in accommodations helping the economy of the winter capital. "IIT is coming up here, universities are here, people is large number are here that help our economy. These type of incidents will only hurt us,” he said. He urged Governor to take the issue seriously and to take action against those who tried to break the communal harmony of Jammu.
Meanwhile, Valleyities outside Kashmir have reportedly been harassed following which protests and clashes erupted in Kashmir. Protests erupted in Lal chowk area of Anantnag on Saturday over harassment of Kashmiris in Jammu.
Protesting youth clashed with government forces and forces were trying to disperse the youth. "Youth protested against the harassment of Kashmiris in Jammu and other parts of India. They assembled at Lal Chowk and clashed with police,” eyewitnesses told KNO. Several vehicles with Kashmir numbers were burnt by violent mob in Jammu on Friday. The violence in Jammu erupted during shutdown call by JCCI against Lethpora attack.
Sources told KNO that most part of the town was already shut against Jammu incident however when clashes broke out, all shopkeepers lowered their shutters and traffic went off the roads. The trade bodies also called for a complete shutdown on Sunday to exhibit solidarity with the Valleyities outside Kashmir.
The traders Association Lal Chowk also staged a protest in Lal Chowk today and observed a complete shutdown in Lal Chowk and adjacent areas in solidarity with Valleyties outside Kashmir.
They said Kashmir Band call has been to express solidarity with the Kashmiris outside the Valley. The traders demanded government to ensure safety of Valleyities outside Kashmir. Meanwhile, Clashes erupted in Maisuma and Lal Chowk on Saturday after a complete shutdown was observed over ‘violence’ against Kashmiris in Jammu.
Eyewitness told KNO that protesters took to streets and raised slogans over harassment of Kashmiris. Police has reached the spot to control the situation. Meanwhile, Police reached the spot and controlled the situation.(KNO)