• SUF demands inquiry by sitting or retired HC Judge
• Bindranwale’s ‘martyrs day’ observed at Simbal
After three days of violent protests, peace returned to Jammu on Saturday after government accepted all demands of the agitating Sikhs and the Sikh youth killed in police firing was cremated at his native village in RS Pura amid tight security.
Hundreds of Sikhs from the State and prominent Sikh leaders from Punjab attended the last rites of the deceased Sikh youth Jagjit Singh son of Narvir Singh of Chohalla in RS Pura.
In Nai Basti Gandhi Nagar, some Sikh youth, who returned after attending cremation, allegedly forced some shops to shut, which was opposed by the shopkeepers leading to fresh tension in the area.
However, with intervention of the Sikh leaders and timely action of police team led by DIG Jammu Ashkoor Wani, the situation was brought under control.
There was no fresh incident of violence in Jammu barring the incident in Nai Basti area. Peace returned to the region after government accepted almost all demands of the agitating Sikhs.
Top civil and police officials had over five hours long meeting with the Sikh community representatives last evening.
During the meeting, Sikh leaders were assured that Rs 5 lakhs would be paid as compensation to the family members of the youth killed in police firing and a job will be provided to one of his family member.
According to TS Wazir, prominent Sikh leader, the government has also transferred SSP Jammu, placed SHO Satwari Inspector Kulbir Choudhary under suspension, and lodged FIR under section 302 against Mukesh Saini (police constable, who fired on youth).
“There was no issue regarding Bindranwale’s posters. We have been observing “martyrs day” since last three decades but with the inefficiency of the police officer, the situation turned ugly turn and one precious life was lost,” he said.
Wazir termed excessive use of force by police against the peacefully protesting Sikh youth as “human rights violations”.
“We have also told officials that compensation should also be paid to those Sikh families, whose property was damaged in raids by police. Besides, all the detained youth should be released,” he added.
President of Sikh United Front (SUF) S S Wazir said demands of the community have been partially accepted by the government.
“We will again chalk out strategy to ensure that all our demands are met. There should be complete change in divisional level administration and police department,” he said.
Wazir said probe into killing of youth should be conducted by sitting or retired High Court Judge and not by the Divisional Commissioner. “We reject the probe being conducted by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu and he himself is an accused”.
Meanwhile, Jammu-Srinagar highway was blocked for sometime by the members Sikh community in Udhampur to protest against the killing of the youth in police firing.
Later, the protesters handed over a memorandum to ADC Udhampur and dispersed peacefully from there.
The Sikhs observed “martyrs day” of slain Khalistani militant commander Jairnal Singh Bindrwanwale at Simbal (Satwari) amid stringent security arrangements.
Sikhs were up in arms against administration after police had removed posters of Bindrwanwale twice in as many days in Satwari area triggering violence in Gadi Garh and its adjoining areas.
For two consecutive days, Jammu observed partial bandh in view prevailing of tension and authorities closed all educational institutions in the region till Sunday.
The administration had shut internet services yesterday and the services were yet to be restored.
The Sikh protesters had also attacked the residence of BJP MLA of RS Pura Dr Gagan Bhagat yesterday with stones.
MLA RS Pura, Gagan Bhagat, told that police have registered a FIR into the stone pelting incident in which his house was attacked yesterday by a mob of over 200 people.
“Police have asked me to identity the persons. However, I have informed them (police) that I cannot pin point any body,” he said.
