Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 12: One person was arrested for allegedly stoking communal tension as curfew and strict restrictions under prohibitory orders remained in force in parts of Doda and Kishtwar districts for the fourth successive day today.
The accused Aadil Gafoor Ganai was arrested from his house during an early morning raid today by police at his residence at Chinar Mohalla locality in curfew-bound Bhaderwah town of Doda district, police said.
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They said Ganai is accused of delivering an inflammatory speech from Markazi Jamia Masjid Bhaderwah on June 9 during a protest rally against recent remarks of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma and certain Social Media posts,
On the basis of the provocative speech, police had registered a case under Section 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
Ganai is the first person arrested in the case although raids were also conducted at several other places in the town to apprehend other accused who also stand booked in separate cases registered at the local police station, the police officials said.
They said there was no untoward incident reported from anywhere in both Doda and Kishtwar districts.
“There was no relaxation in curfew in Bhaderwah town, while strict restrictions under Section 144 CrPC also continued in Gandoh, Thathri and Doda towns besides Kishtwar town and peripheries remained under curfew. Similarly restrictions under prohibitory orders were lifted from Ramban district yesterday,” the officials said.
They said the authorities are monitoring the situation and a decision to relax the curfew and restrictions will be taken later in the day.
Prominent citizens of both the communities are actively engaged with police and efforts are on to normalize the situation, the officials said.
Broadband and mobile internet services remained suspended in several areas, including Bhaderwah and Kishtwar towns, as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, a peaceful protest was staged in Gujjar Nagar locality of Jammu City today over controversial remarks of the suspended BJP leader.
A group of protesters assembled at Gujjar Nagar and staged a peaceful protest against Sharma, the officials said.
Additional policemen were rushed to the area as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, they said.
The officials said the protesters, who were demanding Sharma’s arrest, dispersed peacefully after their demonstration.
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