*Net services restored in Jammu
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, June 15: The Government today ordered unconditional and immediate release of all 22 youths detained in connection with last night’s violence after historic ‘Aap Shamboo’ temple desecration, high level inquiry into the incident including lapses on part of police to be conducted by IGP Jammu Danesh Rana, constitution of Medical Board in the Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu to verify ‘mental health’ of the accused, who desecrated the temple, and establishment of permanent police picket at the ancient temple.
These and other important decisions were announced by Minister for Health and Medical Education Bali Bhagat with a view to defuse high tension in Jammu after two meetings—one with civil, police administration and civil society held at the Institute of Engineers this afternoon and another inside holy and widely revered ‘Aap Shamboo’ temple of Lord Shiva at Roop Nagar this evening, which was desecrated by the miscreant yesterday, triggering wide spread protests by the people in which two Police Public School buses and other items were torched by the mob outside Janipura police station.
Bhagat was deputed to Jammu by the State Government this morning to talk to representatives of the people, traders, religious, social organizations and other stake holders to defuse the tension arising out of last night’s incident of temple desecration by a miscreant—Mohammad Yasir, 25, son of Kher Din R/o Shiva, Doda, who was arrested by the police immediately after the incident while his brother Tanvir Ahmad was detained for questioning.
Meanwhile, police authorities decided to restore internet services from midnight tonight as near normal conditions prevailed in the region today. The services were suspended last midnight.
Official sources said after review of the situation, police authorities wrote to the telecom service providers to restore the internet services from midnight tonight.
Bali Bhagat told the Excelsior after high level review meeting at the Institute of Engineers, Gandhi Nagar that he has considered the unanimous demand of all social, religious, trade and other organizations present in the meeting for release of 22 youths, who were allegedly involved in last night’s violence after desecration of the temple and had been detained by the police during overnight raids.
Accordingly, he said, police released all 22 youths unconditionally.
Sources said there was no case registered against the youth and, therefore, there was nothing wrong in their release. The youth were involved in the protests only.
Bali Bhagat told the meeting of civil society that ‘mental condition’ of the accused Mohammad Yasir would be examined by Medical Board of the Government Medical College, Jammu, which was the only authorized medical body for the purpose and no certificate given by the private doctors would be valid.
“Whether the miscreant is mentally stable or not would be decided by the Medical Board of the GMC Jammu and not any other agency including police,’’ he said.
Further, the Minister said, IGP Jammu Danesh Rana would hold high level inquiry into charges leveled by the people and several organizations over collapse of law and order machinery of police after the incident and further action would be taken on the basis of the report of the IGP.
Representatives of several organization and individuals maintained in the meeting that it was delay on the part of police officers in reaching the spot and talking to representatives of the temple committee and other people, which flared up the situation, leading to burning of the vehicles followed by teargas and lathicharge by the police. They told the Minister that timely action by the police officers would have resolved the matter immediately.
The meeting among others was attended by Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Pawan Kotwal, IGP Jammu Danesh Rana, DIG Jammu range Ashkoor Wani, DC Jammu Dr Simrandeep Singh and SSP Jammu Dr Sunil Gupta besides large representatives of civil society including those belonging to trade, social, religious, youth and other organizations.
The Minister directed the police and civil officials to maintain liaison with the public and take help of senior citizens in defusing tension timely instead of delaying the matter, which could lead to mob fury as happened last night.
In the evening, Bhagat visited `Aap Shamboo’ temple at Roop Nagar and had detailed meeting with the temple management committee, priests and local people and listened to them patiently.
Later, he directed establishment of permanent police picket at the temple for security and safety of the devotees and the temple premises.
Bhagat directed the police officials to ask all SHOs to maintain strict vigil around all religious places as miscreants could commit sacrilegious acts ahead of holy Amarnath Ji yatra to flare up communal tension. He also advised the people to remain vigil on nefarious designs of the miscreants.
Earlier in the day, some parts of the City and outskirts observed bandh in protest against the sacrilegious act. At various places across Jammu region, youths took out processions shouting slogans like `Bum Bum Bhole’ and protesting the sacrilegious act.
While most parts of Jammu remained open, some business markets in the City and outskirts were closed by the youth. However, Janipura and Roop Nagar localities, where the incident took place yesterday, observed bandh during the day while youth held protests against the incident.
Shops of minority community remained closed in Kishtwar and Bhaderwah town as a mark of protest against the incident. People also held protests against the incident at various places.
Reports of shutdown and protests were also received from various other parts of Jammu region against yesterday’s sacrilegious act.
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