Srinagar
Authorities on Friday imposed curfew in Jammu following the violent protests and clashes at many places of the city against the Thursday militant attack in Pulwama in which 49 CRPF personnel were killed.
A complete shutdown was observed in Jammu on a call sponsored by Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry that was supported by the Jammu Bar Association. Internet was banned in the area since morning.
Reports said massive protests were held at many places in areas like Khatin Ka Talab, Narwal, Gujjar Nagar and other places of Jammu where protestors forcibly closed the shops and burned tires amid slogans. They were shouting inflammatory slogans and were surcharged.
According to the reports, locals set ablaze dozens of vehicles in the Gujjar Nagar area of Jammu and threw stones at police and residential houses.
Following the incident, the District Magistrate imposed curfew restrictions in Gujjar Nagar and other adjoining areas of Jammu.
“In exercise of powers vested in him under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code, District Magistrate Jammu has ordered imposition of curfew in the area of whole Jammu city to maintain law and order, public tranquillity and to protect life and property of the general public,” the order issued by the District Magistrate reads.
At a few places, there were reports of protesting youth beating non-locals, mostly Kashmiris. They were threatened to leave Jammu at the earliest.
“We are afraid to even venture outside our home. The situation is worsening and it is hard to live with such amount of fear and uncertainty,” said a Kashmiri man living in Jammu.
Reports said that a large contingent of forces has been deployed in the area to control the situation and Jammu’s Tawi bridge has been blocked by the police.
Meanwhile, IGP Jammu appealed the people to not get provoked by the anti-national elements who want to disturb in the society.
In a recent tweet, he said “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.”
