Curfew imposed in Jammu after 12 injured in mob violence, Civil Secretariat​ employees union threatens to return to Kashmir

Curfew was imposed in Jammu city following massive violence in which at least 12 persons were injured and dozens of vehicles damaged and torched by the mobs during a bandh call on Friday.
The Army has been requested to help the administration in maintaining law and order and conduct flag marches, they said.

Curfew was imposed as authorities feared a communal backlash, officials said.
Protesters, particularly in the old city, refused to disperse even after loudspeakers announced that curfew was imposed.
According to officials, there was complete bandh in Jammu city and there was no traffic on roads and all shops and markets were closed.
Jammu city was rocked by massive anti-Pakistan protests with people taking to the to streets in dozens of places, including Jewel Chowk, Purani Mundi, Rehari, Shaktinagar, Pacca Danga, Janipur, Gandhinagar and Bakshinagar.

“Whereas, in view of prevailing law and order situation in district Jammu, there is every likelihood of breach of peace which may lead to acts of arson, targeting vehicles and causing loss of life and property. In order to maintain law and order, public tranquillity and to protect life and property of general public, I, Ramesh Kumar, IAS District Magistrate Jammu , in exercise of powers vested in me under section 144 Criminal Procedure Code hereby impose curfew in the area of whole Jammu city,” said the district magistrate in an order.

Reports and witnesses said that mobs torched and damaged dozens of vehicles during the violent protests which broke out today morning in Gujjar Nagar and Prem Nagar areas amid a shutdown called by Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Bar Association Jammu had supported the strike call issued against the killing of CRPF troopers in a major attack in Lethpora area of Awantipora in south Kashmir.
An eye witness said that motorcycle-borne youth carrying Indian tricolour pelted stones on the vehicles and residential houses, and also set dozens of vehicles ablaze in Prem Nagar locality.
He said that a mob was gathered in the area despite the authorities announcing curfew in the area.

An official said that a large contingent of the forces has been deployed in the area to control the situation.
The trouble erupted when a group of people belonging to various organisations including Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena, and VHP took out a procession carrying tricolour through Gujjar Nagar, which is predominantly inhabited by Muslims, The Indian Express reported.
Quoting the locals, the report said the violent mob without any provocation started torching vehicles parked outside Jogi gate cremation ground.
Mobile Internet services have been suspended in Jammu as a precautionary measure to avoid law and order situation, said an official.

Meanwhile, Urging governor Satya Pal Malik to ensure them fool proof security, the civil secretariat employees union president Ghulam Rasool Mir has said that attacks were carried out at their residential quarters by arsonist in Jammu on Friday.
“Our vehicles have been damaged and attempts have been made to torch our houses,” Mir was quoted as having said by news agency GNS.

He said that if the government failed to provide them fool proof security, the employees from Kashmir will be forced to return home to protect themselves and their families.
“I have brought it into the notice of chief secretary, Director General of Police and Commissioner Secretary Home,” he said, adding, “If the government fails to provide the required security to safeguard the life and property of the employees, we will issue appeal to employees to protect themselves and their families and return to Kashmir.”
Crowds carrying tricolour went on a rampage in Jammu on Friday, torching vehicles and damaging houses during a bandh call issued by the Jammu Chamber and supported by the Jammu Bar association.
Even as the district magistrate announced curfew in the Jammu city, reports said that it was not effectively imposed on the ground.
President Darbar Move Employees Federation Owais Wani said that the curfew imposed by the administration was “symbolic” and has not been imposed strictly.
“Wherever vehicle bearing Kashmir registration numbers are seen, they are being damaged by the mobs,” he said, according to news agency GNS.

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