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| Life on halts, but Jammu turns battlefield | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Aug 25
Curfew imposed in Kathua after tension
Complete Chakka Jamm in Jammu region
Cops, agitators, scribes among dozens injured
Severe tension in Digiana, Nai Basti, Purani Mandi
Hundreds of vehicles smashed, cops accused
Except few troubled spots –Digiana, Purani Mandi and Akhnoor Road –a peaceful and complete Chakka Jam was observed in Jammu and its adjoining areas but situation turned violent with passage of day leading to protracted battles between agitators and the law enforcing agencies.
Since early this morning main roads and streets in Jammu and other parts of region wore a completely deserted look and not even isolated vehicles were seen moving anywhere around. Amidst a complete Chakka Jam the activists of the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti took processions and staged protests and demonstrations at various areas.
However, as the day progressed, the situation started taking a violent turn particularly involving clashes between protestors and Police in Digiana, Akhnoor Road and Purani Mandi. Pitched battles between both sides continued for the day in which more than four dozen agitators and troopers are reported to have been injured.
The Samiti had asked people not to use even their private vehicles today. However, vehicles of mediapersons and ambulances carrying patients were exempted from the 'chakka jaam' agitation.
Administration today re-imposed curfew in entire Kathua town after fresh incidents of violence and stone pelting in which at least 12 people, including five policemen, were injured, official sources here said.
Despite 'chakka jam' in Jammu region, hundreds of protesters chanting 'bam-bam bhole' and shouting slogans against the government and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), took to the streets and marched towards police control room.
On being stopped from heading towards an official building, the agitators clashed with police and also pelted stones while sources further maintained that they also made an attempt to block the Kathua-Lakhanpur National Highway but they were dispersed by police.
''Police resorted to baton charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse them in which at least 12 people including five policemen suffered injuries,'' official sources said asserting, ''the administration has announced curfew in the entire town as precautionary measures.'' Meanwhile, three people including a senior police officer also injured in fresh clashes between the protesters and the security forces in Digiana area, some 15 kms from here.
Earlier in the morning, Commandant of 8th Battalion of Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police and two protesters were seriously wounded in a clash between police and the protesters on Jammu-Pathankot National Highway at Digiana.
"In view of the dilly-dallying tactics of the Government on the issue, the Samiti has decided to continue its agitation and so it extended the bandh upto August 31," SAYSS Convenor Leela Karan Sharma told reporters here last night.
He maintained that the demands put forth by the Samiti before the Government are clear and unambiguous, and that the issue should be settled immediately. The SAYSS has decided to hold rallies on August 27 and August 31 to press its demands.
Meanwhile, authorities kept strict vigil on the national highway from Lakhanpur to Jawahar tunnel to ensure that protestors do not disturb movement of vehicles.
In Poonch town, the curfew continued today for the third consecutive day. The town was rocked by communal clashes in which several shops, houses and some vehicles were damaged.
In Kishtwar town, which also witnessed communal clashes on August 12, authorities lifted day curfew as the situation improved.
Curfew has also been lifted in Hirangar town of Kathua district and towns of Samba, Udhampur and Rajouri. |
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