Curfew imposed in Jammu as widespread protests erupt; Army stages flag marches

JU POSTPONES EXAMS SCHEDULED ON FEB 16

16/02/2019

JAMMU, Feb 15: Curfew was imposed in Jammu after scores of people took to the streets and blocked the Jammu-Pathankot national highway on Friday to protest against the deadly terror attack which claimed the lives of around 40 CRPF personnel.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC have also been imposed in Jammu, while data services in various districts of the state have been suspended in the wake of protests by locals.
"In order to maintain law and order, public tranquillity and to protect life and property of the general public, in the exercise of the power vested in me under Section 144 CrPC, I hereby impose curfew in the Jammu city," read a letter signed by Jammu's district magistrate Ramesh Kumar.
Security has been beefed up in the state to prevent further attack, internet was shutdown in Jammu as a precautionary measure, they said.
Defying curfew, angry people took out rallies against the attack and police had to cane charge to disperse the protestors at Residency Road, Kachi Chawani and Dogra hall areas, while a bandh was observed in the city.
Many vehicles were set afire in Gujjar Nagar area, while several others were overturned by protesters who alleged that there was stone-pelting on them from rooftops when they were taking out marches against the attack, they said.
The curfew was imposed in Jammu city as authorities feared a communal backlash, the officials said.
Divisional Commissioner Sanjay Verma said that the administration had called for the Army's help which conducted flag marches in Gujjar Nagar, Shaheedi Chowk areas.
Verma said additional forces were deployed in sensitive areas.
As per reports, the violence was triggered when a rally was being held in Gujjar Nagar area and some people threw bricks on the protesters from rooftops.
Purported videos of stone-pelting from the rooftops and burning of vehicles went viral on social media.
Police teams rushed to the spot and resorted to teargas shelling and cane charge to disperse angry protestors.
Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JCCI) had Thursday called for a shutdown in Jammu in protest against the killing of CRPF jawans in the terror attack.
A complete bandh was observed in Jammu, with no traffic plying on roads and all shops and markets remaining closed, officials said.
Massive anti-Pakistan protests were held at Jewel Chowk, Purani Mundi, Rehari, Shaktinagar, Pacca Danga, Janipur, Gandhinagar, Bakshinagar, Muthi, Talal Tilloo and Satwari among other areas.
Raising anti-Pakistan and anti-terrorists slogans, the protestors burnt tyres and placed barricades on several roads, saying Pakistan was a sponsor of terrorism in the valley.
Led by Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena and Dogra front, the people also took out candlelight marches in the city and held protests.
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association, Jammu, suspended work in all courts in the city, including the high court and tribunals, as a mark of respect and to express solidarity with the bereaved families.
Ikkjutt, an organisation advocating tri-furcation of Jammu and Kashmir, paid floral tributes to the 40 personnel killed.
Its patron, Hari Om, said the situation in the state had turned very alarming. He lashed out at former chief ministers, claiming their security should be withdrawn as they were preaching soft-separatism in the garb of mainstream politics.
It is hereby notified for the information of all concerned that all the examinations of the University of Jammu scheduled to be held on the 16th of February 2019 (Saturday) stand postponed due to unavoidable circumstances. Fresh date shall be notified later on.
Udhampur Superintendent of Police Rajiv Pandey said, "Paramilitary, as well as army jawans, have been deployed to foil any other incident if any. We have increased our vigil in Jammu-Kashmir national highway, special checkpoints have been established at various parts, checking and frisking has also been increased."
While demanding a befitting reply to the terrorists, protesters raised slogans against Pakistan and militants supporters in Kashmir and widely criticized the brutal killing in the blast.

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