Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, July 28: Tension gripped remote Billawar-Bani area of Kathua district today after a sacrilegious act was reported from village Jaanu near Bhoondh (Sheetal Nagar) with people taking to streets in protest demanding immediate arrest of culprits.
According to reports, soon after the news of sacrilegious act spread the people in Bhoondh on Bani -Basohli road and adjoining areas downed the shutters of their business establishments, held a massive demonstration and blocked the road.
The protestors were raising slogans against the authorities and Government demanding immediate arrest of the culprits responsible for the sacrilegious act.
The frenzied mob also torched some Khokhas and shops and caused damage to others. A group clash also took place and four people were injured.
SSP Kathua Mohan Lal said to control the situation, the authorities have imposed Section 144 CrPC and called Army to control the situation in the area. Two companies of the Army and 60 CRPF jawans have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order, he added.
DIG Jammu-Kathua range Shakeel Ahmed Beig, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua Shahid Iqbal and SSP, Kathua Mohan Lal ADC Kathua and SDM visited the area to assess the situation. They assured the people that the culprits will be arrested soon and punished under law. They also appealed to the people of the area to maintain calm and not to pay attention to any rumours.
Reports said that people also downed the shutters of their business establishments in Basohli and Mahanpur in protest against the sacrilegious act and took to streets.
Reports said that there was a group clash in Sheetal Nagar and four people were injured in stone pelting. Three of them were admitted in SDH, Basohli while one Ravi who received a head injury was shifted to District Hospital Kathua.
However the culprits are still at large and authorities have sought two days time from the people in arresting them.
DC Kathua, Shahid Iqbal said that the situation in Bhoondh town in Billawar tehsil has been defused as the authorities talked to both the communities and assured the action against the culprits. He said one person was arrested and eight shops and Khokhas were damaged by agitating mob in Bhoondh.
He said the administration has given assurance to nab all the culprits within two days and situation is totally under control.
SSP Kathua, Mohan Lal told Excelsior that police has launched a man hunt to arrest the culprits and they will be arrested by tonight.
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