KISHTWAR: Fresh protests erupted in several towns of Jammu region today with locals torching tyres and staging sit-ins as the curfew-relaxation period passed off peacefully in violence-torn areas.
Protesters staged marches and sit-ins in Jammu, Aknoor, Ramnagar and Samba areas and an incident of stone-pelting took place near the Jammu-Pathankot highway, reports said.
The protesters burnt tyres and chanted anti-government slogans.
Over 100 JKNPP activists defied curfew in Gandhi Nagar area in Jammu and staged a protest march demanding imposition of President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging the law and order had totally broken down in the state.
Led by its president and MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia, they tried to march towards Bikram Chowk but police stopped them midway.
The Panthers Party activists courted arrest and were released later.
“By and large, the situation was better today. It is limping back to normal. There are no reports of any major untoward incident from any part of the region,” Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu told reporters in Jammu.
Curfew, clamped in eight districts, in the aftermath of Kishtwar violence would continue, the Divisional Commissioner said.
Relaxation in curfew was given in various towns and it passed off peacefully, he said.
Curfew was relaxed between two and six hours in Samba, Udhampur, Reasi, Bhaderwah, Billawar, Bani, Basholi, Kathua and Sunderbani Jammu West areas, police said.
No curfew relaxation was given in Jammu and Rajouri, they said.
Nineteen people were arrested in Jammu region today in connection with protests and violence, IGP (Jammu Zone) Rajesh Kumar said.
With today’s arrests, a total of 141 people had been taken into custody in connection with communal clashes which broke out in Kishtwar on August nine.
The Amarnath pilgrimage, suspended three days ago in the wake of violence, resumed today from Jammu with a fresh batch of 225 pilgrims leaving for the holy cave shrine amid tight security.
Yesterday, 10 people, including an ASP, were injured in clashes with protestors in Kishtwar district.
Three persons were killed and a total of 68 shops, seven hotels and 35 vehicles damaged during the communal violence in Kishtwar. (Agencies)
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