Despite curfew mob protests Pulwama attacks, Army Called in Amid Fears of Communal Backlash
Even news of curfew being imposed did not force the protesters to disperse
Jammu, Feb 15: Curfew has been 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 strike call on Friday in the wake of the terror attack in Pulwama in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.
The Army has been called in to help maintain law and order and conduct flag marches, officials said. Curfew was imposed as authorities feared a communal backlash.
Despite announcements to disperse and maintain peace, protesters, particularly in the old city, refused to disperse even after loudspeakers blared the information about imposition of curfew in the region. “We have imposed curfew in Jammu city as a precautionary measure,” Deputy Commissioner of Jammu Ramesh Kumar said.
There was complete bandh in Jammu city, no traffic was seen on roads and all shops and markets were closed.
Jammu city was rocked by massive anti-Pakistan protests with people taking to the streets in dozens of places especially in the Old City areas. Clashes were reported from Gujjar Nagar area where some vehicles were damaged due to pelting of stones. However, any major clash was averted due to prompt police action.
Raising anti-Pakistan, anti-terrorists slogans, protesters burnt tyres on many roads. The agitators, mostly youth, put up barricades on roads demanding revenge. The mobs were led by Bajrang Dal, the Shiv Sena and the Dogra front. People took out candle light marches in the city and held anti-Pakistan protests.
The Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JCCI) had on Thursday called for shut down in Jammu protesting terror attack.
All courts, including the high court and tribunals remained closed and even the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association shut work in memory of the martyred CRPF jawans.
“The suspension of work by the association is a mark of respect to the CRPF jawans killed in the Pulwama attack and to express our solidarity and sympathy with the bereaved families,” J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu President, B S Slathia said.
