Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Sept 15: While the Government today ordered Magisterial probe into Rajouri incident, the security forces lobbed some teargas shells as few youth tried to defy curfew and resorted to stone pelting on the policemen near Abdullah Bridge in Rajouri town this evening.
While there was no relaxation in the curfew today in the troubled Rajouri town after yesterday’s incident of arson, some miscreants tried to defy curfew this evening and resorted to protests and stoning on the police and paramilitary forces near Abdullah bridge and Bela Colony at around 7.15 pm.
Police lobbed at least three to four tear-gas shells to disperse violent protesters. Security forces made the youth to flee towards their homes. There was no report of any injury to any person during the clash.
Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Shabir Ahmed Bhat told the Excelsior that no relaxation in curfew was given today and no untoward incident was reported during the day in Rajouri town. He said some youth tried to defy curfew but they were made to stay inside after police action. Bhat said that curfew will continue tomorrow as well. The relaxation will be given only if the situation improves.
A review of the situation will be taken during the day in a meeting tomorrow and accordingly the decision will be taken, Bhat maintained.
The DC further said that a Magisterial inquiry has been ordered and Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Rajouri, Paramjit Singh has been directed to inquire into the matter and submit a detailed report within 15 days.
Meanwhile, two Government employees- Zonal Sports Officer, Sikander Khan and Naib Tehsildar Budhal, Khursheed Ahmed Tantray, hailing from Palma near Rajouri, who had allegedly brought a sacrificial animal have been attached. The youth, Vishal Kumar, son of Keshav Sharma, resident of Rajouri who had beaten up a man has also been arrested by police.
The Army was also called by the Administration after arson in the troubled town, forcing Administration to impose curfew in the evening. Two shops were damaged in arson while a hotel and some other shops were damaged by the miscreants from the majority community. No person involved in the incidents of arson has been arrested so far.
Even the District Magistrate denied curfew passes to the local media-persons after they approached him.
Meanwhile, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Ch Zulfkar Ali rushed to Rajouri town today and chaired a meeting of District Administration to review the law and order situation in the town.
The Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Rajouri has been nominated as inquiry officer who will conduct a detailed enquiry into the matter and submit report within two weeks.
The Minister said that the people of twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch have always lived in complete peace and harmony setting an example of secularism. He termed such incidents as unfortunate and expressed hope that the peace loving people of these areas would not be deterred by such coward acts of some anti-social elements and will stand firmly against all such odds to uphold the sanctity of brotherhood and amity.
“I firmly believe that people of Rajouri and Poonch will defeat these nefarious designs and supplement Government’s efforts of developing the State towards new dimensions”, Zulfkar said.
The Minister took stock of law and order situation in the district and exhorted upon the officers to ensure that no untoward incident takes place here. He instructed the District Administration to involve all religious heads and prominent people in maintaining peace and tranquility in the area.
MLA, Qammar Chowdhary, MLC, Vibodh Gupta, DC Rajouri, DIG Rajouri, SSP Rajouri besides other concerned officers of district administration attended the meeting.
MLC Vibodh Gupta demanded that Rs 50 lakh compensation be provided to the stationery shop owner as it was completely gutted. He also held police responsible for delay in action. He demanded arrest of all those responsible for setting shops on fire and causing damage to public property.
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